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Board continues taxi‑discipline appeal after victim’s testimony; suspension to remain until May hearing
Summary
The Board of Appeals continued the Janice Hennessy taxi appeal to May 20, ordered the summary suspension to remain in effect past April 30, and requested additional police reports, photographs and medical records. Commissioners were split about whether revocation was warranted based on the record and testimonial evidence.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted to continue the appeal of disciplinary action against a taxi driver accused of assaulting passenger Janice Hennessy and to keep the driver’s summary suspension in place while the board reviews additional evidence.
Hennessy testified at length about an incident she described as an attempted strangulation and a frightening late‑night episode in which she said she was forced from the cab and pursued by the driver. She offered to submit medical records and photographs showing bruising and said the 911 call and the restraining‑order hearing transcript support her account.
SFMTA counsel and the driver’s attorney disputed aspects of the account: defense counsel noted an initial police report that may have recorded no visible injuries and emphasized that the taxi commission had imposed a one‑year suspension and two years’ probation rather than revocation. Counsel also explained the unusual procedural posture: the taxi commission’s factual determinations informed an administrative punishment, and the board was reviewing that administrative record.
Members of the public and advocacy groups urged strict action in the interest of passenger safety; other commissioners said they were troubled by gaps in the hearing record (missing police incident reports and low‑quality photographs) and wanted time to review those materials before deciding on a sanction as serious as revocation.
Commissioner Garcia moved to continue the case to May 20 and to keep the suspension in place past April 30 in order for parties to submit additional information; the motion passed 5–0. The board directed staff to request missing police reports, clearer copies of photographs, and any medical records the victim is willing to submit. The continued calendar entry gives the board time to consider whether the record supports revocation or another penalty when it reconvenes.
The board indicated it will hear the matter again on May 20, at which time commissioners may vote on the discipline after reviewing the newly submitted materials.
