{"id":30093,"date":"2023-11-22T18:58:03","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T02:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=30093"},"modified":"2023-11-22T18:58:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T02:58:04","slug":"web-of-corruption-explore-the-cronyism-lies-and-federal-crimes-at-the-heart-of-san-franciscos-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/11\/22\/web-of-corruption-explore-the-cronyism-lies-and-federal-crimes-at-the-heart-of-san-franciscos-government\/","title":{"rendered":"Web of corruption: Explore the cronyism, lies, and federal crimes at the heart of San Francisco\u2019s government"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Avatar\"\" by\u00a0WILL JARRETT<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0JOE ESKENAZI<\/a><\/strong> NOVEMBER 3, 2021 (Mission Local.org)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image and chart by Will Jarrett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last updated: November 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, 2020, the first domino fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammad Nuru, then the director of the San Francisco Department of Public Works, was hit with a raft of federal corruption charges<\/a> and was accused of lying to the FBI \u2013 crimes that could see him in prison for up to 25 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, U.S. Attorney David Anderson commented on the allegations by saying, \u201ccorruption is pouring into San Francisco from around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following two years seem to have proven him right. Multiple heads of city government departments have since been ousted from their jobs over allegations of corruption. City employees and contractors have pleaded guilty to charges of bribery<\/a>, money laundering<\/a>, and fraud<\/a>; others are professing their innocence as charges continue to pile up<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federal and local investigations have touched building inspectors<\/a>, real estate brokers<\/a>, and even a Chinese billionaire<\/a>. From Public Works to the Mayor\u2019s Office<\/a> to the Public Utilities Commission<\/a>, new charges are springing up, hydra-like, month after month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscribe to our daily newsletter<\/strong> and have the latest stories from Mission Local delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many interconnected allegations flying around the city, it can be difficult to keep track of exactly who is involved with what. We have created an interactive graphic to show the connections between the people and organizations that have loomed large in investigations, based on the reporting of Joe Eskenazi<\/a>. As more players are swept into the maw \u2014 and as connections between players become established \u2014 we will update this item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click on the circles below to find out more. Click the lines between circles to understand how the two are connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some have been charged, others have been found guilty. Others have had no charges brought. See how they are connected.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can find a fullscreen version of the chart here<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that inclusion on this chart does not necessarily imply wrongdoing, only connection with city investigations. The chart is also not exhaustive \u2013 there will be links that are not captured here. We will update the chart as investigations develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test your knowledge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How well do you know the corruption scandal that has rocked San Francisco for the past two years? Click on the question boxes to see the answers.Question 1<\/strong>: Who pleaded guilty to bribing Mohammed Nuru with a Rolex worth nearly $40,000?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 2<\/strong>: Out of all the people on our map who have pleaded guilty to charges, how many are directly connected to Mohammed Nuru?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 3<\/strong>: How much did Recology overcharge San Francisco taxpayers from 2017\u201320?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 4<\/strong>: How are former Public Utilities Commission boss Harlan Kelly and former senior inspector Bernie Curran connected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 5<\/strong>: How are Mayor London Breed and federally accused restaurateur Nick Bovis connected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 6<\/strong>: What is the smallest number of jumps you can make to get from Balmore Hernandez to Rodrigo Santos?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 7<\/strong>: Who officiated the wedding of former city administrator Naomi Kelly and former Public Utilities Commission general manager Harlan Kelly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 8<\/strong>: Which non-profit held a subaccount that was used as a slush fund by Mohammed Nuru?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 9<\/strong>: What service did Walter Wong-affiliated company Alternate Choice LLC provide San Francisco?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Question 10<\/strong>: What have Balmore Hernandez, Alan Verela and William Gilmartin pleaded guilty to using in an attempt to bribe Mohammed Nuru?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The strange and terrible saga of Mohammed Nuru turns the page: Judge hands down 7-year sentence<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/a>by JOE ESKENAZI<\/a><\/strong> and CAROLYN STEIN<\/a><\/strong>AUGUST 25, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Nuru booked for attempted robbery: accused of demanding man\u2019s chips at knifepoint<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/a>by CLARA-SOPHIA DALY<\/a><\/strong> and JOE ESKENAZI<\/a><\/strong>JUNE 2, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Nuru: San Francisco bought and sold by a confederacy of dunces<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>by\u00a0JOE ESKENAZI<\/a><\/strong>NOVEMBER 23, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WILL JARRETT<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Will@MissionLocal.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n