Audit of First Offender Prostitution program sent to full Board after heated public comment

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted to forward a motion to the full Board of Supervisors to request a managerial audit of the First Offender Prostitution (FOP) program, after extended discussion among supervisors, a presentation by a District Attorney's Office representative and sustained public comment questioning program transparency and outcomes.

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick introduced the motion, saying he has spent nearly two years seeking information about FOP and its subcontractor SAGE (Standing Against Global Exploitation). He said publicly available material does not adequately describe participant outcomes, how court diversions are decided, or how participant fees are collected and used. "The compulsory rehab programs simply do not work," McGoldrick said, and he urged that the city consider voluntary social‑service alternatives outside the criminal‑justice system.

Michael Troncoso, assistant district attorney and the DA's legislative attorney, told the committee that the U.S. Department of Justice commissioned a two‑year external audit of the San Francisco program and replicated sites, and that a draft of that report—about 134 pages—has been provided to staff. Troncoso said the DOJ audit included hundreds of interviews, surveys and fiscal reviews and that it "strongly supports the conclusion that the FOPP program significantly reduces recidivism." He asked the committee to consider the DOJ draft before initiating a separate Board audit.

Public commenters pressed for transparency and quicker action. Maxine Dugan, a service‑provider organizer, said the DA's office was found in violation at a Sunshine Ordinance hearing for not producing documents tracking the SAGE subcontract; she urged a clear timeline for any audit so oversight is not left to unpaid community members. Former participant Lisa Rolig said surveys used in program evaluations are vague and can be biased by the crisis circumstances of attendees, and she disputed claims that SAGE provides meaningful vocational or computer training. Other speakers, including Robin Few and Rachel West, raised concerns about racial disparities in enforcement and whether diversion options beyond FOP are routinely offered by courts.

Committee budget analyst Ken Bruce said his office could begin an audit survey if directed and recommended reviewing the DOJ draft to avoid duplication; he cautioned that the budget analyst's office has several ongoing assignments and could not guarantee completion before the fiscal year end. Bruce also noted that the enabling local legislation limits which participants may be charged fees.

After debate, a motion to send the item forward with a full recommendation passed on a roll call recorded as two ayes and one no. The committee did not adopt a separate, immediate audit scope but voted to refer the audit request to the full Board so that further consideration—including review of the DOJ draft report and the budget analyst's proposed scope—can proceed.

Next steps: the item will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors at its meeting tomorrow, where members may adopt a Board‑commissioned audit, request supplemental information from the DA's office, or take other action.