Election season is in full swing nationally, and in San Francisco, mayoral candidates battle stings of corruption allegations against themselves and their associates. Watch as our reporter Andrew Brobst breaks down the history of San Francisco government corruption and how that legacy has carried over to the current day.
Stay tuned for more, as this four-part series takes a ride through the choppy waters of San Francisco’s political corruption and the impact it may have on this year’s mayoral election.
Part 1: A Brief History of Corruption
Transcript: I’m Andrew Brobst with 48 Hills bringing you the latest on the San Francisco mayoral race. Today, we’re diving into the murky waters of political corruption that could impact the election in a few weeks.
San Francisco has a long history of corruption scandals that have shaken public trust. Willie Brown, a political powerhouse, stacked city hall with loyalists that provoked an outcry, yet the practice still continues to this day.
Earlier this year, Kyra Worthy and SF Safe, a nonprofit partnered with the SFPD, allegedly mismanaged over half a million dollars of funding, leading to 34 felony charges.”
Remember Mohammed Nuru? As head of the Department of Public Works, he was involved in bribery and fraud. His connections reached deep into city politics, including ties with current mayor and candidate London Breed.
When corruption goes unchecked, it breeds distrust in government. Candidates Aaron Peskin, Ahsha Safai, and notably Mark Farrell (whose past is not all sunshine and rainbows, more on that later) continuously point out corruption in London Breed’s administration.
As the election approaches, scrutinizing candidates’ ties and histories is crucial. Could these connections shape policies and decisions if they’re elected?
Part 2: Looking at the Candidates
Transcript: In part one, we talked about the shady dealings in City Hall’s past, but today, we’re turning our attention to the candidates under scrutiny right now.
I’m Andrew Brobst with 48 Hills, back with part two of our ongoing series into corruption allegations in San Francisco’s 2024 mayoral race.
First up—Mark Farrell. While he’s been pointing fingers at London Breed, Farrell himself is facing heat for spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on lavish dinners, even receiving a record fine from the Ethics Commission. From wining and dining to questionable ties with Recology execs, it’s shade calling out shade.
Speaking of London Breed, two of her highest-ranking department heads are in federal prison, and a senior administrator has resigned following a corruption scandal, and the head of the Human Rights Commission has resigned following the approval of 1.5 million dollars worth of contracts. Now, you tell me—what did the mayor know, and when did she know it?
And what of the other candidates?
Aaron Peskin is pushing for Prop C to create a new city watchdog.
Ahsha Safai has eyebrow-raising ties to housing developers that have sparked concerns, especially given San Francisco’s contentious real estate politics and Daniel Lurie is running as the “anti-corruption” outsider, but with his family’s wealth and connections, we’re wondering if he’s really as removed from the political machine as he claims.
So, where does that leave us? Election day is fast approaching, and it’s no longer just about policy—it’s about ethics.
In part three, we’re going to take a deeper dive into the specifics of two major candidates, London Breed and Mark Ferrell. Stay tuned!
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