The
Real
ed lee
The unTold, unTold sToRy
The
Real
ed lee
The unTold, unTold sToRy
a promise is worth
one thousand ounces
of gold.
– ancient Chinese proverb
ConTenTs
Willie & Rose’s “No loNgeR
secRet” Make-a-MayoR Recipe
SECTION 1: THE MAKING OF A MAYOR
ChaPTeR 1: hoW ed lee Really ChanGed hIs MInd How do you make a Mayor? Here’s the “no longer
secret” recipe created by Chinatown powerbroker Rose
SECTION 2: ED LEE, THE EARLY YEARS
Pak and former Mayor Willie L. Brown.
ChaPTeR 2: ed lee suCCuMBs To PRessuRe and
aPPRoVes FRaudulenT ConTRaCTs Serves: 4-8 years
ChaPTeR 3: ed lee RuBBeRsTaMPs FRaudulenT
VendoRs Ingredients
1 “dormant” political machine
SECTION 3: ED LEE AS (AN UNETHICAL) MAYOR
980 lbs. of powerbrokers (preferably a mix of former
ChaPTeR 4: Golden PaRaChuTes and CRonyIsM mayors, unregistered lobbyists, corporate hacks and
ChaPTeR 5: FaIluRe To FolloW eThICs laWs 69 Chinatown mavens)
TIMes as MayoR 1 Board of Supervisors President with mayoral
ChaPTeR 6: The eMPeRoR’s BoRRoWed CloThes... ambitions
and Plans... and WoRds
1 exiting mayor looking to payback his friends for
years of service
SECTION 4: ED LEE’S SLEAZY CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR
ChaPTeR 7: Run ed Run—a us aTToRney 1 “Promise”
InVesTIGaTIon
2 parts flip-flopped Bevan Dufty
ChaPTeR 8: IlleGal CaMPaIGn ConTRIBuTIons FoR
ed lee 49 yards of wool (to cover the people’s eyes)
ChaPTeR 9: Money laundeRInG FoR ed lee
Optional
ChaPTeR 10: ed lee suPPoRTeRs enGaGe In VoTeR The will of the people (“once in a while, if budget
FRaud allows”)
SECTION 5: LOOKING AHEAD Directions
ChaPTeR 11: san FRanCIsCo’s FuTuRe, ed lee- 1. VERY IMPORTANT: Mix all contents together
sTyle in a back room; if any part of the mixture is
exposed to sunshine it will be ruined.
ENDNOTES
4 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 5
2. Pour mixture into an empty vessel—any loyal
bureaucrat will do. He doesn’t even need to be in the
country.
3. Make a promise… and then break it. Very gently!
4. Voilà! A Mayor is made.
5. Be sure to keep your mayor on a tight leash. Do not
allow them to have any open conversations with
press or voters without being heavily scripted.
6. We recommend immediately hiring a posse of high-
paid consultants and bodyguards to accompany
your mayor at all times.
For true make-a-mayor aficionados, Rose & Willie swear
that the second term is packed full of even bigger sweet- SECTION 1:
heart deals!
THE MAKING OF A
MAYOR
editor’s note: Following any ethics laws laid out in current
statute will render recipe useless.
6 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 7
“you’re not just changing your THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE SAID: “Requirement #1
should be that the interim not be a candidate in 2011.” 5
mind. you’re breaking a promise
to these people.” SEAN ELSBERND SAID: “I hope he doesn’t run. I think this
–Former Mayor Gavin newsom city desperately needed someone this year who wasn’t going
The san Francisco Chronicle, 8/10/11 to play election-year politics”6
SOPHIE MAXWELL SAID: “It should be somebody that is not
political; somebody who will not run for mayor.”7
CHRIS DALY SAID: “This is the biggest fumble in the history
ChaPTeR 1:
of San Francisco politics.”8
HOW ED LEE REALLY You know your city is in trouble when Chris Daly is the only
CHANGED HIS MIND politician who got it right.
“My goal is to RestoRe the tRust”
pRoMises, pRoMises It’s also worth remembering what Ed Lee said. On dozens of
occasions, Lee said he would never run for mayor.
Back in January, 2011, they all agreed: what San Francisco
needed to fill Gavin Newsom’s vacated seat was an interim WHAT LEE SAID: “I am sure I am not going to run.”6
Mayor, a caretaker, a person who wouldn’t use the power of
the office to bolster his or her own campaign for Mayor. So AND SAID AGAIN: “If you promise something…you carry
of course, what we got was the exact opposite: a Mayor who it out.”9
promised to be a caretaker, then “changed his mind”1 — Ed Lee.
AND AGAIN: “I indicated at the outset to the Board of
It’s worth remembering what was being said at the time: Supervisors, that I was not going to be a candidate for mayor.
And part of the goal in this year is to restore the trust.”10
GAVIN NEWSOM SAID: “The board should pick a caretaker,”2
and “Anyone who takes this position from day 1 needs to say, AND WHEN ASKED: “If I understand that right, trust is the
‘I will not be running for election.’”3 most important thing. You said you weren’t going to run for
mayor. So you are definitely not running for mayor? Is that
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAID: “What our city needs what I heard?”10
is an interim leader who is not interested in reelection, but
who will carry out Mayor Newsom’s term until voters have LEE ANSWERED: “That’s true. That’s true. Yes.”10
another say in November.”4
8 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 9
AND WHEN ASKED AGAIN: “So that is unequivocal, you are Willie Brown and Rose Pak.”11
not going to be running for mayor?”10
According to San Francisco Chronicle accounts of the debate,
LEE ANSWERED AGAIN: “That’s right.”10 Lee never denied what Chiu had said.12
“chaNgiNg My MiNd”
So, after months of charades, Ed Lee announced he was
“changing his mind”1 – a phrase more evocative of choosing
a restaurant than breaking a solemn promise to the San
Francisco voters and Board of Supervisors.
Perhaps former Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was the most
insistent on a “caretaker” Mayor, said it best: “You’re not just
changing your mind. You’re breaking a promise to these
people.”13
Willie Brown, Ed Lee, and Rose Pak at
one of their regular dinners at North
Beach Restaurant.
“i caN’t say No to Willie aNd Rose”
What we all learned, subsequently, was that Ed Lee never
wanted to be Mayor, but did so at the request of Rose Pak and
Willie Brown. And we also learned that Ed Lee didn’t want to
break his promise, but he did so at the request of Rose Pak
and Willie Brown.6
We learned that courtesy of Board of Supervisors President
David Chiu, a Lee ally who was instrumental in his
appointment. During a candidate debate, Supervisor David Chiu
recounted a conversation he had with Lee.
Ed Lee announcing his broken promise bid for mayor.
Chiu said to Lee, “You told me that you had looked at yourself
in the mirror, you didn’t have the fire in the belly, you didn’t
want to run, but that you were having trouble saying ‘no’ to
10 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 11
“an independent report found no
basis to certify the company. But
lee later certified [it] as a qualified
minority contractor. It went on to
obtain $704,000 in work.”
– san Francisco Chronicle, 8/9/1114
ChaPTeR 2:
SECTION 2:
ED LEE SUCCUMBS TO
ED LEE, PRESSURE AND APPROVES
THE EARLY YEARS FRAUDULENT CONTRACTS
Who is Ed Lee and where did he come from? What has he
done and how will he act as mayor? Here we examine some
of his key—and most questionable—actions as a career city It was former Mayor Willie Brown who emceed the inaugural
bureaucrat. ceremonies of appointed interim Mayor Ed Lee.15 They have
often been seen dining together, sharing a few laughs at a
North Beach restaurant, often with fellow power player Rose
Pak.16 Willie Brown has the dubious distinction of raising
money for at least three political committees associated
with Ed Lee: Run Ed Run (Progress for All), the Ed Lee for
Mayor committee, and an independent expenditure called San
Franciscans for Jobs and Good Government.17
But the cozy relationship between Willie Brown and Ed Lee
didn’t start just yesterday. In fact, it started many yesterdays
ago, to the mid-1990’s, when Ed Lee was the Director of the
Human Rights Commission and Willie Brown was Mayor.18
12 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 13
the “MiNoRity-oWNed” scaM named Charlie Walker.20 Walker had been involved in a city
contracting scandal in 1984.20 In fact, he was sent to prison
In the City and County of San Francisco, a contractor
for three year for helping white contractors scam the city’s
who bids on a city project gets preferential treatment if
minority contracting regulations.20 After he was released
the contractor is “minority-owned.”19 Given the lucrative
from prison and Willie Brown became Mayor, Walker was re-
value of city contracts, especially construction contracts,
instated in the Human Rights program and obtained $825,000
many contractors seek to be certified by the Human Rights
in contracts at the airport.20
Commission as a minority-owned or women-owned business.
So, he knew what he was doing.
In 1996, when Ed Lee was the Director of the Human Rights
Commission, once such company, called Krystal Trucking,
Walker set up a meeting with Willie Brown, Maryann Rodgers
applied for minority-owned status.20 It was at this time that
and himself to discuss Krystal Trucking with Ed Lee.20 Ed
Ed’s inability to stand up to powerful special interests first
Lee was summoned to the meeting.20 And after that meeting,
surfaced to the public eye.
Ed Lee reversed himself and certified Krystal Trucking as
a “minority-owned” firm.20 As a result, Krystal Trucking
at fiRst, ed lee Makes the Right decisioN received contracts at the airport worth at least $704,000.20
When Krystal Trucking applied for minority-owned status,
the HRC staff initially denied certification.20 Staff believed And, they donated $2,500 to Willie Brown’s campaign fund.20
that the company was merely a straw company funneling
contracts to Rodgers Truck and Equipment, a large, white- ed lee ReWaRded With a pRoMotioN
owned firm and one of Northern California’s largest trucking
Shortly after approving the certification for Krystal, Ed Lee
companies.20
was rewarded by the Mayor he had just served.19 In fact, he
was promoted to
It was not a complicated decision. Among other reasons, the
Director of the
owner of Krystal Trucking, Maryann Rodgers, was married to
City Purchasing
Phillip Rogers, the co-owner of Rodgers Trucking.20 And, as
Department –
Ed Lee himself wrote to Maryann Rogers on April 15, 1996,
where he could be
the equipment for Krystal Trucking was at “the same address
in charge of more
as Ms. Rogers’ husband’s firm.”21
city contracts.18
In addition to
So far, so good. Ed Lee denied the certification. Then came
the new powers,
Willie Brown.
Ed Lee also got
a raise of $4,000
theN, ed lee flip flops uNdeR pRessuRe per year for his
Krystal Trucking knew that Ed Lee didn’t really know how to new position.14
Willie Brown would help Ed Lee with
say no. And they had a plan to make him reverse his decision. another “promotion” years later...
First, they hired a political supporter of Willie Brown
14 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 15
for city IT needs. Lee’s program had vendors apply, be vetted
and be admitted as certified minority-owned contractors to be
– “Who told you, you had to admit granted preference by city departments in need of IT services.22
them to the Computer store?” Though the system set-up a speedier process, it was also a
seedier process.
– “The director of purchasing.
ed lee.” coMputeR stoRe coNtRactoR gcsi cheats
– deborah Vincent-James, the city
former director of the city One certified Computer Store contractor—Government Computer
Committee on Information Technology Sales, Inc. (GCSI) allegedly conspired with a corrupt Department
of Building Inspectors official who pled “guilty to corruption
charges brought by the U.S. Attorney, and spent time in prison
for cheating the city out of about $500,000.”22 GCSI is alleged in
a City Attorney lawsuit to have partnered with that convicted
felon “in a kickback scheme.”22
ChaPTeR 3:
The city lawsuit also claimed that “GCSI’s president and owner
ED LEE RUBBERSTAMPS [Robert Fowler] had been arrested and imprisoned by a federal
judge for contempt of court and for disbursing funds in an
FRAUDULENT VENDORS effort to avoid ...efforts to collect its loan.”22
city staffeR accuses
Ed Lee earned his promotion by learning the rules of
ed lee aNd Willie BRoWN
Willie Brown’s pay-to-play City Hall. It wasn’t long before When Government Computer Sales,
his newfound authority over millions in additional city Inc. initially sought to be certified to
contracting dollars would be put to use for the City Hall sell computers to the city, they were
machine. repeatedly found unqualified and their
certification was denied because they
failed to meet the City’s minimum
ed lee staRts the coMputeR stoRe
qualifications.22
Ed Lee knows how city purchasing works. Now director of
purchasing for all city contracts, Ed Lee established a new We later learned GCSI was only approved after intervention
way to approve Information Technology contracts called The from the City Purchasing Office.22 The City’s normal process
Computer Store, an entity created to speed up municipal for evaluating potential contractors was “totally bypassed.”22
orders for technical services.”22 In theory, the new approval of The Purchasing Office, allegedly acting on the behest of the
IT contracts addressed a problem of extremely slow response Mayor, approved GCSI as a city contractor.22
16 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 17
The director of the city’s Committee on Information
Technology at the time, Deborah Vincent-James, testified
in a sworn deposition that GCSI was “fraudulent” and was
awarded the contract only because of ties to Mayor Brown.22
“Who told you, you had to admit them to the Computer Store?”
asked the attorney for the small business suing the city.22
“The director of purchasing,” states Vincent-James’ deposition
transcript. “Ed Lee.”22
Vincent-James went on to testify that Lee had been acting
under the direction of Mayor Brown.22 According to her
deposition, “[Lee] was directed by the Mayor’s Office and told
to do an evaluation process. They evaluated them. They were
put in the [Computer] store.”22
SECTION 3:
This was one professional city staffer whose voice was allowed
ED LEE AS
to be heard on the record for public consumption. And it is
damning testimony of how the city administered minority- (AN UNETHICAL)
owned business contracting under Lee and Brown.
MAYOR
pRoMotioN agaiN?
We’ve heard a lot about Ed Lee “getting things done” as
Following his approval of GCSI, Lee once again earned a mayor. This chapter looks at some of Ed’s deeds that didn’t get
promotion—this time to head the Department of Public as much media attention.
Works23 and then City Administrator.24 But his early history
would repeat itself when he was appointed interim mayor.
18 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 19
“Doesn’t it piss you off
“[nuru was the subject of] a series when you, as someone
who does Actual Work for
of ethical scandals involving the a Living hears about how
misappropriation of public funds A Few City Management
Types also get “bonuses”
for personal uses, retaliatory even though they totally
threats against whisteblowers as screwed up the City we
live in?”26
well as directing city contractors Nat Ford
to engage in illegal political Well, yes. We all agree.27 Yet, Ed Lee
ensured safe landings for former director Nat Ford when he
activities while they were being approved a $500,000 separation agreement – despite driving
paid with public funds.” Muni straight into the ground, and only six months after his
contract had been renewed.
– Fog City Journal, 8/15/11
With that kind of cash, the entire city of San Francisco could
park free of charge for over 3 days. Or MUNI could be entirely
free for a whole day. Or we could stripe 10 miles of new bike
ChaPTeR 4: lanes. Or we could purchase almost 24,000 fast passes for
youth and seniors.28
GOLDEN PARACHUTES AND
coNtRacts aNd cRoNyisM: ed lee giVes ccdc
CRONYISM MillioNs, MalcolM yeuNg gets his ReWaRd
Malcolm Yeung used to be the public policy director at the
Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC). Now he’s
A wise sage of San Francisco politics (or, at least a recent
a senior advisor in Ed Lee’s office, making $98,000—nearly
political figure of note and former Supervisor) warned that
double what he’d made at CCDC. 29
Ed Lee would be the quintessential caretaker mayor—”taking
care” of every Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom staffer from the
The story behind that involves millions
Mayor’s Office.25 His prediction proved right—and now, after
of dollars in contracting funds for CCDC,
having served only months as interim mayor, we see the ill
and Ed Lee working with Yeung to help
effects of Ed Lee’s actions.
direct it their way.
goldeN paRachutes: helpiNg Nat foRd laNd It’s no secret that CCDC would profit
safely from an Ed Lee mayorship. CCDC had no
Nat Ford’s exit from San Francisco can be neatly summarized problem acquiring city contracts under
Malcolm Yeung Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom, so it was
by the following blog entry:
20 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 21
only natural that CCDC do its part to keep a friend in charge. CCDC has also received favorable contracts from SFMTA,
In fact, according to the San Francisco Chronicle: totaling $1.2 million.32 One of CCDC’s tasks was to design a
relocation plan for tenants displaced by the Central Subway.
“Hours before City Administrator Enter Malcolm Yeung.
Ed Lee was formally appointed San
Francisco’s mayor in January, a In the plan, Yeung recommends to the SFMTA that the
whiteboard in an executive conference displaced tenants be located in CCDC housing. Yeung writes
room at the Chinatown Community a memo listing “the top option as the MTA [and the Mayor’s
Development Center held a drawing Office of Housing] paying the Chinatown Community
of City Hall and read: ‘Picture this ... Development Center $9 million and moving the displaced
Mayor Ed Lee.’”30 tenants to housing the nonprofit plans to build on Broadway
between Sansome and Battery streets.”32
Of Ed Lee’s appointment as interim
mayor, Yeung said, “Ed knows the Let’s spell that out: CCDC used city funds from a contract
city like no one else... and having they’d already been awarded to advocate that they should be
someone with that kind of knowledge granted another contract.
in the mayor’s seat is going to be
another incredible benefit.”31 Legality aside, as a result of Yeung’s recommendation, the
Mayor’s Office of Housing gifted $8 million to CCDC so it
What Yeung might have meant was could construct the housing.32 A contract Ed Lee would have
that Ed has connections like no one to approve.
Whiteboard at CCDC
shortly before Lee’s else, including to the higher ups at
appointment CCDC who helped organize “Run Ed As for Malcolm Yeung, well, he got himself a promotion.
Run.” While there’s no evidence that To the Mayor’s Office. As a senior advisor on housing. For
Ed Lee was involved in the “Run Ed double what he was making at CCDC. 29
Run” campaign, it’s clear that Lee has “benefited significantly
from his connections with the CCDC.”29 Hey, he earned it.
Did Yeung also mean that Ed would now be in the most
ed lee’s Nod foR dpW Raises eyeBRoWs:
powerful position in the city, one with the power to directly
MohaMMed NuRu
approve contracts to CCDC?
As noted in the press, “sometimes following San Francisco
As Yeung himself described, Lee had helped steer contracts politics is a lot like watching a game of musical chairs.”33
to CCDC during his years as head of DPW. Yeung specifically Once again, Ed Lee helped to bounce another City Hall pal into
credited Lee as a “champion” of CCDC’s Chinatown Alleyway a new position and Mohammed Nuru became the head of the
Master Plan, saying “[Lee] used his position at DPW to secure Department of Public Works.
funding.”31
Ed Lee described his appointment of Mohammed Nuru as “a
How’s that for foreshadowing?
22 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 23
good choice.”34 Perhaps a surprisingly, she is also the Executive Director of the Willie L.
good choice for cronyism, Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service and served
political favors and careless as Chief of Staff for Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. from 1996 to
judgment. Nuru was first 2004.40
hired by Ed Lee during the
administration of former However, it seems Ed Lee wants to keep the Willie Brown
Mayor Willie Brown. During connection muted here. Johns’ “stealth” reappointment (no
his time in city government, announcement and no press release, as is usual practice39)
Nuru was the subject of “a may be connected to another scandal—the change in policy to
Mohammed Nuru
series of ethical scandals benefit a certain shuttle company and the subsequent money
involving the misappropriation of public funds for personal laundering for Ed Lee (see chapter 9).
uses, retaliatory threats against whisteblowers as well
as directing city contractors to engage in illegal political
keepiNg it iN the faMily: RichaRd JohNs
activities while they were being paid with public funds.”35
Sometimes, enough is enough. Ed Lee tried to sweep one too
One of the illegal activities included using city employees and many appointments under the rug and is currently facing a
city money to help the campaigns of politicians supported by court challenge over his appointment of Richard Johns to the
Willie Brown.35 Historical Preservation Commission.41
Criticism targeting Nuru’s appointment was dismissed as In a 6-5 vote, Richard Johns was appointed to the Historian’s
racism. That’s ironic, given that according to information in seat on the Historic Preservation Committee. As the suit notes:
a workplace lawsuit, “Nuru has a pattern of treating African-
American women differently…”36 In another case, a female Mr. Johns was a college English major.
employee had been promoted and complained that the man, His lengthy and detailed resume does not
her trainer for her new position, was working against her and list a single course taken in history, any
that Nuru said she “needed to learn how to dress like a lady” article written on an historical subject, or
and to “stop acting ghetto.”37 any indication that he is ‘an authority’ on
any historical subject.42
Ed Lee’s “good choice”34 has cost the city hundreds of
thousands of dollars in settlements and self-dealing. As part Yet, because of his connections, Ed Lee overlooked this
of his neighborhood clean-up efforts with the DPW, more than “minor” detail. With this appointment, Ed Lee was truly
$100,000 was spent to clean vacant lots near his home.38 If trying to keep city government in the family—Richard Johns
only we could clean-up City Hall for that price. is married to Eleanor Johns, Airport Commissioner (and close
ally to Willie Brown).
RecycliNg Willie BRoWN’s cRoNy Based on a review of Ed Lee’s campaign contributions,
appoiNtMeNts: eleaNoR JohNs Richard Johns donated the maximum allowed $500 to Ed Lee’s
Eleanor Johns is a long-standing member of the Airport campaign.43
Commission—and just recently was reappointed.39 Not
24 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 25
It’s designed to prevent pay-to-play politics, and is considered a
“Mayor lee finds the process [of key component of the city’s open government laws.
filing ethics forms] bureaucratic But the law is meaningless unless the papers get filed. Yet Ed
and cumbersome.” Lee was late—days, weeks, in many cases months late—with
– Tony Winnicker, ed lee spokesman 67 (later increased to 69) filings that amounted to more than
$208 million in city contracts.45
The worst offenses involve contracts approved in February
and March that weren’t filed until September.46 That means
those contractors could have made political donations—in the
midst of a hotly contested mayoral race—and gone unchecked
for over 6 months.
ChaPTeR 5:
“shockiNg disRegaRd”
FAILURE TO FOLLOW The city attorney called it a “shocking disregard for public
ETHICS LAWS 69 TIMES transparency.”45
AS MAYOR Oliver Luby, a former Ethics Commission officer, put it in even
better perspective.
“Overall, I’ve never seen worse late filing of the required
Ed Lee, a decorated veteran in city contracting, undoubtedly contract reports,” he said in response to the breaking story.47
felt right at home assuming the power to grant approval of
city contracts as interim Mayor. He could do this stuff in his He continued: “In fact, there are far more than 69 instances
sleep. of late contract disclosure, since many of Lee’s filings were
consolidated. One filing alone consists of 44 pages of separate
Until he fell asleep at the switch. contracts.”47
In September, not quite nine months after being appointed
it keeps gettiNg WoRse.
interim mayor, Ed Lee was blasted for ignoring ethics
laws and violating the city’s contract disclosure law with But there’s more. Luby’s calculation of what Ed Lee should
egregiously late filings—and he did it sixty-seven times.44 owe in late filing fees? $41,050.47
The mayor is required to publicly disclose all city contracts he But with an Ethics Commission a grand jury dubbed the
approves because for six months after each contract is approved, “sleeping watchdog,” these violations would slide right by
those contractors are barred from making political donations. without investigation. Because the fox guards the henhouse.
26 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 27
the BuReaucRat claiMs the “BuReaucRatic
aNd cuMBeRsoMe” defeNse
ed lee failed to RepoRt coNtRact appRoVals foR:
So why was Ed Lee late? And why was he late 69 times? Ed
Lee let his slick spokesman Tony Winnicker answer that one: Esquire Deposition Services, LLC dba Asian Neighborhood Design, Inc.
Esquire Deposition Solutions City View Storage
Indigo Films Island Creative, LLC
“Mayor Lee finds the process bureaucratic and cumbersome,”
World Headquarters, LLC Pacific Brokerage, Inc.
Winnicker told the San Francisco Examiner.44 Bodega Wine Estate Sol Rouge, LLC
515 Folsom Street LLC, William Collister
Well, filing taxes is Mercy Housing California 53; Mercy Housing Calwest Zip Cubes Storage Corp
bureaucratic and BaySubway Airport dba Subway Applied Engineering & Construction
Burger Joint, Inc. dba Mission Bar and Grill Management, Inc.
cumbersome too—
Guava and Java (SFO), Inc. EAH Inc., a California Nonprofit Public
but you still have to
Luna Azul dba Jalapeno Taqueria Benefit Corporation
do it.48 Ocean Avenue Association John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their
Bayview Supportive Housing LLC, a California limited Communities, Stanford University
But, Winnicker liability company San Francisco Education Fund
says, “the Mayor’s McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. Cooper Pugeda Managmenet Inc.
XpresSpa SF International, LLC Advanced Wireless Group, LLC
Office makes every
Asiana Airlines Harrison Fremont LLC
effort to ensure the
J. Avery Enterprises dba Klein’s Deli Rosa Parks II, L.P., a California Limited Partnership
forms are signed Treasure Island Community Development, LLC HV Associates, L.P.
and submitted Asian Neighborhood Design HV Partners 1, L.P.
within days.”44 Citibank, N.A., (Funding Lender) San Francisco AIDS Foundation
HV Partners 1, L.P. Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco
Treasure Island Community Development LLC (TICD) Rubicon Enterprises
That’s interesting. By the city attorney’s calculations, Ed
Treasure Island Community Development LLC (TICD) Toolworks
Lee committed late filing violations over 40% of the time.45
Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco Treasure Island Homeless Development Inititative
Apparently “every effort” means a “barely passing” 60%. Even Rubicon Enterprises (TIHDI)
to a seventh grader, that’s a D-. Toolworks YMCA
YMCA Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, Can Mateo &
Emirates Marin
ed lee looks foR aN out… Third & LeConte Associates LP Japanese Community Youth Council
Five days after the first story broke, Ed Lee’s office responded Treasure Island Community Development, LLC Mission Hiring Hall
Various Bayview Supportive Housing, LLC, a California Limited
that some of the late filings were never “late” because they
En Point Technologies Sales, Inc. Liability Company
never had to “file them” in the “first place.”49 50 (Even though
Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco Mercy Housing California 51
at the time they were filed, the mayor’s office was under the Self Help for the Elderly Community Housing Partnership,
impression they were required, yet still opted to ignore that James W. Lopes a nonprofit public benefit corporation
requirement. But apparently, Ed Lee chose to file that under Mercy Commercial California, a California non profit Folsom Essex LLC
“moot point.”) public benefit corporation Overland Pacific & Cutler, Inc.
PROXY Development LLC
PROXY Development LLC
28 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 29
Ed Lee’s chief of staff Steve Kawa (formerly Gavin Newsom’s
chief of staff… oh, and Willie Brown’s too51) apparently went “We’re actually flattered by ed lee’s
to the Ethics Commission’s executive director, John St. Croix,
with a big “WTF.” St. Croix replied in the email that his legal
plagiarism. Because up until now,
advice had been incorrect.50 he’s only been claiming credit for
Gavin newsom’s work.”
…But it BackfiRes – Matt dorsey, spokesman for dennis herrera
In the same story that laid out a somewhat confusing 3rd
grade back-and-forth over how many filings were actually
late versus how many were actually required versus how
many attorneys does it take to just get to the point already,
the city attorney did fire back with one final zinger. One of
the actually-late filings (no really, both sides acknowledged it)
was not just one contract—it was a Russian-nesting-doll-style ChaPTeR 6:
mega contract filled with 140 smaller contracts. Total price
tag? $9.4 million.50
THE EMPEROR’S
Oh, and guess who one of the grant beneficiaries was? The
Chinatown Community Development Center.52
BORROWED CLOTHES...
But that’s probably just a coincidence.53
AND PLANS... AND WORDS
Here are some fun facts about the Ed Lee Administration.
Ed Lee didn’t just bring the America’s Cup to San Francisco,
he also brought Jim Harbaugh to the 49ers. The real reason
Twitter isn’t leaving is because Ed Lee won an arm-wrestling
match against Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone.54 Oh, and Ed Lee
personally paints the Golden Gate Bridge to keep it shiny for
all of San Francisco.
These may not actually be true,55 but Ed Lee is quite skilled
at taking credit for the work of others and relishing in their
“overall, I’ve never seen a worse success.
late filing of the required contract
reports.” ed lee Rides NeWsoM’s coattails, pads his
– oliver luby, former ethics Commission officer ResuMe
Watching an Ed Lee campaign commercial or hearing him
speak at a mayoral forum,56 one thing is clear: Ed Lee doesn’t
30 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 31
want you to forget who brought the America’s Cup to San escape the San Francisco’s payroll tax.63 This was unacceptable
Francisco or kept Twitter from leaving.57 But if you think it to the Newsom Administration so he had the Office of
was Ed Lee, then you’ve forgotten already. Economic and Workforce Development begin negotiations
with Twitter in late 2010.64 Supervisors Jane Kim and David
On January 11, 2011, former Mayor Gavin Newsom handed Chiu became involved too, meeting with Twitter to discuss a
the keys to City Hall over to Ed Lee.58 Oh, and he left Ed Lee tax break.64 Chiu even proposed a plan to end the “job-killing”
an especially nice housewarming gift too. payroll tax.64
It was announced January 2, 2011, that San Francisco was Then Ed Lee became Interim Mayor, and jumped on the “Save
selected to host the America’s Cup.59 All of the groundwork Twitter” bandwagon.65
had already been laid by Newsom in the months before his
departure for Sacramento.60 All Ed had to do was... well, not Kim introduced what became known as the “Twitter Deal”
much. on February 5, 2011.66 It was a deal that could cost the City
$20 million in lost revenue, but would prevent the exodus
But don’t fear, Ed Lee of Twitter’s 3,000 jobs.67 Ed Lee signed off on it and he was
is still chummy with heralded as the Twitter messiah. If only real success was as
all the America’s Cup easy as a rubber stamp.
special interests. He was
invited by America’s Cup WoRds fRoM fRieNds
organizers to sail on a
It’s been said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies
139-foot schooner.61 Lee
closer.” This is especially true when dealing with opposing
said, “this is my first
candidates’ policy plans. On October 4, Ed Lee released an
time on a real sailboat.
extensive Jobs plan. Extensively plagiarized.68
I’m converted.”61 Yes,
you have Ed—from
Ed Lee’s Roadmap to Good Jobs & Opportunity is a 17-point
City Administrator
plan to boost the economy and create jobs.68 Ed Lee must be
to promise-breaker. It
really committed to sustainability because when it comes
I’m on a boat! was bound to happen,
to creating policy, Ed Lee’s approach is recycle, reduce, and
“schooner” or later.
reuse. As in recycle and reuse policy initiatives from other
When Ed Lee entered office, he already had his first win—one
candidates in order to reduce any credit they receive for
that he didn’t have anything to do with.
coming up with the idea.
Ed Lee also loves to take full credit for the “Twitter Deal,” a
Over the summer, Dennis Herrera published his jobs plan—
tax break for companies that open shop in the Mid-Market
one that also has 17 points.69 Not every point is exactly the
neighborhood.57 Never mind the fact that Newsom was the one
same, but Ed Lee lifted enough language from Herrera to
who initiated negotiations.62
raise a few eyebrows. Ed Lee’s press release calls for San
Francisco to “build a city that works.” The name of Herrera’s
Twitter was seriously considering a move to Brisbane to
Jobs plan: “The City That Works Plan.”70
32 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 33
Matt Dorsey, a spokesman for Herrera, is surprisingly
okay with Ed Lee’s blatant theft: “We’re actually flattered by
Ed Lee’s plagiarism. Because up until now, he’s only been
claiming credit for Gavin Newsom’s work.”71
“i aM MR. ed”
But Ed Lee is an equal opportunity thief, not just stealing
from Herrera, but also from Joanna Rees. The second point of
Lee’s Jobs plan calls for the creation of the “Job Squad.”72 Rees
said she “know[s]
where he got that
idea... From me.”71
David Chiu, however, SECTION 4:
was the most
recent victim of Ed
Lee’s parroting. In
ED LEE’S SLEAZY
September 2011,
Chiu introduced
CAMPAIGN FOR
a proposal that
called for legislation
How many times will David Chiu fall
for it?
MAYOR
requiring SFMTA
and Department of Public Works to create a system to notify While Ed Lee demonstrated what kind of Mayor he would be—
people about temporary towing permits for special events one who protected his friends and ensured business as usual
and construction zones, as well as for permanent tow-away would continue at City Hall—his friends behind the curtain
zones.73 mounted a shady campaign to pressure him into breaking
his promise not to run. And as Ed Lee’s own campaign then
Only days later, Ed Lee challenged a group of developers at began, it became clear both campaigns were entangled in
the Web 2.0 Summit to create the app.74 Of course, there was illegal activity.
no mention that the idea belonged to David Chiu.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. According to Addisu
Demissie, spokesman for Chiu, “David has been very, very,
very flattered.”74
Oh, Mr. Ed, your mouth moves, but someone else’s words come
out...
34 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 35
to-play was still the name of the game. The story revealed
“u.s. attorney probes ‘Run, ed, that Recology, a multi-million dollar city contractor, was
now using company time to promote Ed Lee—the man who
Run’ group” was key in securing its most recent contract—at Rose Pak’s
– The san Francisco Chronicle, 8/16/201186 suggestion.
“Two temporary Recology employees, at the
encouragement of an unnamed company
supervisor, gathered signatures urging Lee
to run, while a separate petition was placed
ChaPTeR 7: in one of the company’s workrooms, which
86 employees signed, Recology officials said.
RUN ED RUN: A US Those efforts came after Pak had approached
a senior executive on multiple occasions,
ATTORNEY INVESTIGATION requesting company help in urging Lee to
run.”76
The powers that be knew they needed to keep Ed in Room If that front page wasn’t bad enough, it only got worse
200, but how could they do it without drawing ill will when the Chronicle announced that the U.S. Attorney
towards their pawn? He had, after all, been appointed as a was investigating Rose Pak’s dealing with Recology.
“caretaker”—someone who would put people above politics
(except their politics). And with the press printing Ed’s every
insistence that he would not run, they needed to find him an pRogRess foR poWeRBRokeRs
excuse—and fast. Back on May 18th, a group calling itself “Progress for All”
filed a statement of Organization with the Ethics Commission.
So Chinatown powerbroker Rose Pak did what she always It claimed its purpose was “general civic education and public
does when she needs people to act quickly—she cracked affairs,” but it would soon become the most active—and most
open her donor rolodex and called in favors from her best problematic—of the campaigns.
buddies—people with city contracts. Campaigns to “Draft Ed
Lee” proliferated. In just a At Rose’s urging, “Progress for All” hired Enrique Pearce82 of
few weeks, Rose had collected Left Coast Communications to run a campaign urging Ed Lee
$200,000 in pledges that to run. Pearce, an associate of Pak and Brown, had been the
poured into campaigns that subject of recent election ethics complaints.77 Since “Progress
staged public support for a Lee for All” was not a candidate’s campaign, Pearce’s committee
candidacy.75 was free from the pesky fundraising restrictions with which
mayoral candidates are burdened. While as a candidate, Ed
Just weeks later, the Chronicle would only be able to raise $500 per donor, Rose’s friends
Progress for All’s “Run, Ed, broke a damaging story on could pour thousands of dollars at a time into a public
Run” signs outside City Hall. page 1 that showed that pay- campaign begging for him to run for mayor—and they did.
36 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 37
City contractors, Chinatown businessmen, and developers A complaint was
generously contributed to the committee, and in less than two filed with the Ethics
months Progress for All spent over $110,000 from just 50 Commission, further
donors.78 The Chronicle explained the donations: highlighting the
committee’s failings.
• “The work awarded to companies headed by He argued that
donors to Progress for All included a $431,060 the money spent
contract to expand the medical clinic at San towards Lee’s draft
Francisco International Airport that went to Kin should be considered
Wo Construction in 1997. when determining
public financing for
• A $1.7 million construction contract in June 2003 all candidates the
from the Recreation and Park Department for Rose Pak is interviewed by press
race and that the outside the headquarters opening of
work on a Harding Park maintenance facility, city committee had failed Progress for All.
documents show. to report donations
• Chiang CM Construction was awarded a $4.5 of $5,000 or more
million job in November 2008 to renovate two within 24 hours.81
floors of the Municipal Transportation Agency
building. It was awarded despite the city’s labor After weeks of delays and side-stepping by Progress for All,
enforcement agency securing a ruling in March the Ethics Commission called for a hearing to take place on
2004 that the company had failed to pay the August 8th to sort out this messy committee and get to the
prevailing wage on an earlier contract to rebuild bottom of its business. But the worst was yet to come.
the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in the Bayview
neighborhood. Brown, who was mayor at the tRashy BusiNess: Recology pitches iN
time, had championed the project, which came in uNdeR pRessuRe
more than a year late and more than $1 million
When you’ve been awarded a $112 million dollar garbage-
over budget.”79
shipping contract, what do you owe? More than just excellent
garbage-shipping service, as it turns out. Looks more like
political favors to the people who gave it to you. The Chronicle
deceptiVe ethics filiNgs
writes:
By late June eyebrows were raised at the Ethics Commission.
Director John St. Croix publicly called out the “Run, Ed, “Pak has been a primary fundraiser and
Run” campaign for filing deceptively as a general purpose booster for Progress for All and its “Run, Ed,
committee. “It appears to the casual observer that 100 percent Run” campaign. On Thursday, the company
of their goal is to draft Ed Lee,” said St. Croix—not to engage that recently won a critical vote for the city’s
in civic education.80 He demanded that Progress for All re- $112 million garbage-shipping contract
file to clarify its purpose to voters, but the demands went acknowledged Pak had pressed a senior
unanswered for weeks.
38 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 39
executive to provide workers to help her effort thousands of dollars from city contractors and were now
to get Lee to run for a full four-year term.”76 using city contractor company time to promote Ed Lee. And
just as these allegations piled up, the committee disbanded.
What else did Recology owe the powerbrokers and Ed? On August 1st, Progress for All announced that they had
According to the Bay Citizen, Recology’s ties to the served their purpose and would be closing to give Ed Lee
powerbrokers go back to Willie Brown’s Assembly days: “some space” before the filing deadline on August 12th.84
“Brown’s relationship with Recology extends One week later, Ed Lee filed his intent to run for Mayor.
back to the 1980s: while serving as speaker of
the California Assembly, he received more than That very same day, Judge Quentin Kopp sent a letter to the
$11,000 in campaign contributions from the U.S. Attorney and District Attorney urging them to launch a
firm and was also paid at least $60,000—and criminal investigation into Rose Pak’s dealings with Recology.
possibly more than $250,000, according to a Kopp requested that a criminal grand jury probe “corrupt
1991 Los Angeles Times story—by Norcal to influencing and other felony misdemeanor misconduct.”85
work as a legal advisor.”83
Two days later, the U.S. Attorney’s Office collected documents
And then there was the time Lee hiked residential garbage on Progress for All. The committee is under investigation.86
collection rates almost double the recommended increase:
“In the summer of 1999, Lee, who had been
tapped by Brown to head the Department of
Public Works in 1996, came under public
criticism after proposing a 44 percent rate hike
for residential garbage collection. Although
the rate was lower than the 52 percent hike
proposed by Norcal (as Recology was then
known), it was substantially higher than the 20
percent increase recommended by his staff…”83
Business as usual at City Hall is clearly good for business—
but not so good for San Franciscans. And it was making
headlines.
pRogRess foR all eNds, aNd a u.s. attoRNey
iNVestigatioN BegiNs…
Progress for All was beginning to attract more bad attention Ed Lee and Recology get cozy.
than good. They had filed misleading documents at the Ethics
Commission, had failed to report big money donors, had taken
40 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 41
after approval. Originally devised by the City’s “Meh”-thics
“City contractors plunk down for Commission, the measure appears to be transparent and
easily followed… that is until Ed Lee entered the race.
lee”
– The san Francisco Bay Guardian, 10/5/1194
eNteR aecoM
Remember those dinners with Willie Brown, Rose Pak, and Ed
Lee?16 It turns out AECOM Senior Vice President Jack Baylis
joined the Three Racketeers88 for dinner in February—to
celebrate the contract Lee had just approved for his company.89
ChaPTeR 8:
AECOM—sounds familiar, doesn’t it? AECOM is responsible
for numerous infrastructure projects that have graced San
ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN Francisco. Most recently, on August 16, 2011, AECOM entered
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR into a $150 million contract with the San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for a sewer system project.89 As
ED LEE with all major SFPUC contracts, Ed Lee’s approval was needed
for the contract to move forward—approval he generously
gave. (And then celebrated at dinner that very same night.)89
Ed Lee is quickly learning in his first run for elected office It was a favor AECOM would return.
that it’s not about what you know, it’s not even about who you
know—it’s about who donates to your campaign. Because of this contract—granted only 2 months ago and
just days after Ed Lee entered the mayoral race—certainly no
The act of contractor contributions to candidates or elected individuals…or Senior Vice Presidents from AECOM…or any
officials is referred to in political circles as “pay-to-play.”87 But of their subcontractors have donated to the Ed Lee Campaign.
as the saying goes, “Rules are made to broken... especially if That would be patently illegal. However, financial disclosures
you can get away with it.” from the Ed Lee Campaign in October 2011 reveal five
donations made by city contractors.90 Four of these donations
were made by subcontractors on the AECOM sewer project
pay-to-play: ed lee stacks the deck throughout the month of September. Ed Lee even received
In 2008, San Francisco passed Measure H, prohibiting donations from AECOM employees—totaling $875. On
local politicians from accepting campaign contributions September 17, 2011, Joseph G. Moss, a Senior Vice President
from vendors who do business with the city and county of at AECOM,91 made the maximum allowable donation of $500
San Francisco. As local ordinances go, it’s fairly simple—if to the Ed Lee Campaign. Moss’ donation even came all the
you’re the director or on the board of any organization or way from Atlanta, Georgia.92
company that has received a City contract over $50,000, you
cannot donate to the officeholder who oversees or approves Looks like AECOM got a pretty good deal. Donate a couple
that contract from when negotiations begin to 6 months thousand to Ed Lee and receive a $150 million contract.
42 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 43
stellaR “seRVices”
“he said ‘you give me $500 check.
Stellar Services, an IT infrastructure provider, contributed
$7,500 to support Ed Lee’s Campaign, including $4,000 to the I give you $500 cash.’”
Committee for Effective City Management, an independent – darrin yuan, Go lorries driver
expenditure set up to support Ed Lee.93 Interestingly, Stellar new york Times, 10/6/201195
Services also has current contracts with the City, including
one for $91,000 with—you guessed it—the SFPUC.94
John St. Croix, Executive Director of the San Francisco
Ethics Commission, knows that the contractor ban is maybe
too widely applicable. According to him, “we did not realize ChaPTeR 9:
how many San Franciscans are covered.” This is true. Many
San Franciscans are covered, but apparently Ed Lee does not
completely understand the rule.
MONEY LAUNDERING
FOR ED LEE
Ed Lee has returned more than 50 suspicious donations—
however, there are many out there he has accepted that may
raise an eyebrow. In fact, many of these donations are being
investigated by the District Attorney’s Office for money Ed always liked to travel, especially to Asia with his old friend
laundering. That’s so Ed Lee—you can launder the money all Rose Pak. So, when he heard that his favorite Airport shuttle
you want, but dirty money is dirty money. company, GO Lorries, was in trouble, he had to step in—for a
small fee of course.
You see, GO Lorries was
going to lose a tremendous
amount of business to their
competitors due to the new
van placement regulations at SFO.96 There was only one way
for Go Lorries to solve this problem—buy their way into
the Mayor’s heart and have him intervene with the airport
commissioners to reverse the new rules.
So, that’s exactly what GO Lorries and Mayor Ed “Gets it
Done” Lee did.
tRadiNg faVoRs
The Bay Citizen’s Gerry Shih broke the story on October
6th that seventeen employees of GO Lorries donated a
44 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 45
total of $8,500 to Ed Lee’s campaign two weeks after the
airport announced that it would reverse a decision on van “They were actually filling out
placement—a decision that was very favorable to GO Lorries.96
ballots for people.”
The donations—each the $500 maximum allowed under city
– Rolando salvado, witness
law—included 10 drivers, two dispatchers and an accountant
The Bay Citizen, 10/21/2011
clerk, campaign finance documents show.97
Two GO Lorrie’s drivers, Darrin Yuan and Paul Hsu,
independently said in interviews that they had donated to
Lee because a manager, Jason Perez, promised to reimburse
them.98 ChaPTeR 10:
ED LEE SUPPORTERS
Yuan said he knew nothing about the mayor when Perez
urged him to give: “I said: ‘Who is Ed Lee? I don’t even know ENGAGE IN VOTER FRAUD
him.’ And he said: ‘Look, he’s the mayor! A Chinese!’”95
In total, 23 combined GO Lorries donations totaled more than Theeeeeeey’re back!
$10,000.97
Remember Progress for All? Progress for All was the
Clearly, in this case, our Mayor Ed Lee got it done. Not a bad shady independent expenditure committee behind Run Ed
day’s haul for one small regulation change. Run that is under Federal investigation for taking money
from Recology and illegal influencing and other felony
theRe is oNe sMall catch, though… misconduct.101 Progress for All was fronted by political
consultant Enrique Pierce and bankrolled by Rose Pak and
It’s a violation of state election law to donate in someone else’s
her wealthy friends, and now the same players are back—this
name or be reimbursed for a contribution. It’s also illegal to
time with a brand new fancy name—SF Neighbor Alliance for
channel money through others to sidestep contribution limits.99
Ed Lee for Mayor.
Oops.
And guess what? They are in big trouble again. This time
their “volunteers” were caught engaging in voter fraud.102
When the press broke the story, Ed Lee’s spokesperson Tony
Winnicker intervened to deny the charges.100 (Please note—
Mayor Ed Lee only intervenes in private and never likes to caught oN Videotape
answer questions personally.) Here’s what happened:
But alas, it was not enough to stop the District Attorney’s Detailed by both the San Francisco Chronicle and the Bay
office from launching a criminal investigation of Ed Lee’s Citizen, makeshift tents were set-up in the heart of Chinatown
campaign and the reimbursed contributions.100 (Really? on Stockton Street where Ed Lee supporters—“volunteers”—
Another one?) were caught red-handed filling out ballots for residents.103 Not
46 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 47
only that, but in some cases, they placed a stencil over ballots 15th, Lee workers
so that individuals could only vote for Ed Lee. pointed out whom
to vote for on
Let’s just pause for a moment to ponder how absurdly wrong a Vote-by-Mail
that is. ballot, took the
ballot from the
And if that wasn’t voter, placed it in
bad enough, an envelope and
they then took put the envelope in
the ballots from a box, apparently
May I assist you in voting (for Ed Lee)?
residents and to send it in on
placed them in behalf of the voter,
a bag, a clear according to an eyewitness.107
violation of election
law.104 Further, at an Ed Lee office on Clay Street in Chinatown this
past Sunday, a volunteer associated with Lee’s campaign had
As reported by the Bay Citizen: Roland Salvato, a consultant, in his possession at least one Vote-by-Mail ballot that had not
told The Bay Citizen on October 21, 2011, that he was riding yet been filled in, which he took from a previously unopened
the 30 Stockton bus when he noticed a queue of elderly envelope.”107
voters lining up at the tent and got off to investigate. He said
he witnessed the Ed Headz workers filling out ballots for
a call foR fedeRal aNd state oVeRsight
voters.105
The evidence was so overwhelming that opposing candidates
“They were actually filling out ballots for people, but I saw the for mayor all agreed to request intervention from State and
other people filling out ballots for themselves,” Salvato said.105 Federal authorities issuing the following letter:
ed lee’s oWN caMpaigN caught eNgagiNg iN Dear Assistant Attorney General Perez and Secretary of State
VoteR fRaud Bowen:
It soon came to light, that Ed Lee could no longer blame rogue We write to bring to your attention news reports and
supporter groups. Ed Lee’s promise that this had “nothing to accompanying videos that may indicate violations of federal
do with my campaign. My campaign is clean, it’s compliant, and state laws intended to protect voting rights and to assure
the integrity of our electoral process. In light of published
100%.”106 was totally bogus.
accounts in the San Francisco Chronicle and Bay Citizen about
electioneering activities by the SF Neighbor Alliance for Ed
An Epoch Times reporter witnessed the voter fraud conducted Lee for Mayor 2011, we request that your respective offices
by Ed Lee’s very own campaign workers, erasing any doubt immediately detail federal observers and state election monitors
for San Francisco’s mayoral election, which is currently
that his campaign was innocent of illegal electioneering.107 underway.
“At an official Ed Lee campaign event in Chinatown on Oct.
48 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 49
According to these published accounts, these electioneering
activities target Cantonese-speaking voters in San Francisco,
and may potentially impinge on their federally protected voting
rights, and also violate provisions of the California Elections
Code and other laws. These suspect activities include the
following:
• Testimony by independent witnesses that SF Neighbor
Alliance for Ed Lee for Mayor 2011 staff were
completing ballots for voters.
• Testimony and video evidence that SF Neighbor
Alliance for Ed Lee for Mayor 2011 staff employed
plastic stencils and handled absentee ballots in such
a manner as to prevent voters from marking their
ballots for other mayoral candidates.
• Testimony that SF Neighbor Alliance for Ed Lee
for Mayor 2011 staff, as apparently ineligible third
parties, received and collected into plastic bags
voted ballots from voters, taking ballots into their SECTION 5:
possession.
• Testimony and video evidence that SF Neighbor
Alliance for Ed Lee for Mayor 2011 staff interfered
LOOKING AHEAD
with the secrecy of voting.
A peek into the next four years if Ed Lee remains mayor…
If true, these allegations and other conduct may violate the
U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965, and California Election Code
provisions pertaining to electioneering, corruption of voting,
the Voter Bill of Rights, and other laws. Given their gravity,
the importance of protecting voting rights, and assuring
voter confidence in our electoral processes, we believe federal
observers and election monitors are immediately warranted,
and that further investigation by your respective offices would
be well advised.
Signed,
Michela Alioto-Pier
Jeff Adachi
John Avalos
David Chiu
Dennis Herrera
Joanna Rees
Leland Yee
50 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 51
• The San Francisco Giants will be renamed the San
Francisco Powerbrokers. Sadly, they will be embroiled in
a controversy where they are caught trying to buy a spot
in the playoffs.
• All communications with constituents must be conducted
through Twitter. In addition, any public comment must
use the #mustache Twitter feed.
• Any inheritance you have must now be bestowed onto the
City Family, not your actual family.
ChaPTeR 11:
• Muni buses will be now operated by GO Lorries.
Surprisingly, service will remain generally the same.
SAN FRANCISCO’S FUTURE, • The Central Subway will still not be built. But now it is
ED LEE-STYLE $57 billion over budget.
• All losing mayoral candidates and staff will be exiled to
Alcatraz.
We’ve all seen how Ed Lee has run his interim term as mayor
• The 49ers stayed in SF! However, only those who are
and how he conducted himself on the campaign trail. We’ve
employed by a tech start-up that is located in mid-market
learned who his friends are and how Ed repays them. So what
will be eligible to buy tickets.
would it be like if Ed Lee was Mayor for another 4 years?
• All Ed Lee appointments will be Willie Brown
We’ve taken a look into our crystal ball and found some reappointments.
surprising results… • Any and all public finance and campaign ethics laws will
be rolled back. This change will go unnoticed.
• San Francisco’s official food will be Del Monte Ketchup,
• All displaced tenants from Park Merced will also be
while our official flower will be the Rose.
housed on Alcatraz.
• All non-CCDC affordable housing units will be relocated
• Ron Conway will buy Treasure Island. Yachtsmen only!
to Daly City.
• As thanks for his support, Ed Lee gifts MC Hammer with
• The Golden Gate Bridge will be now called the PG&E /
a pair of “golden parachute” pants.
Recology Golden Gateway to Corruptville. Make sure
to show your employee badge at the toll booth for your • Unregistered lobbyists will be forced to register. This will
discounted rate. (Wink, wink.) ensure Mayor Lee knows where to send his Christmas
cards!
• HealthySF will be renamed the Endangered Restaurant
Protection Act. You will be charged an additional 42% on • Grateful for the Republican Party’s support of his
your bill. Please note—no health care will be provided. mayoral bid, Mayor Lee returns the favor by selecting
Michele Bachmann as our new School Superintendent.
• All parks will be fully privatized. They will only be
available for corporate bonding outings. • David Chiu is now District Attorney. Oh, wait…
52 | THE REAL ED LEE THE REAL ED LEE | 53
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dirty-business head-mohammed-nuru-
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“ article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2011
YFM11059
THIS COMPLETELY UNATHORIZED BIOGRAPHY WAS INDEPENDENTLY WRITTEN AND PAID FOR BY THE LELAND
YEE FOR MAYOR 2011 CAMPAIGN, 710 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. IT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED
OR APPROVED BY ROSE PAK, WILLIE BROWN, ED LEE, OR THE BILLIONAIRES BEHIND HIS CAMPAIGN.
W ITH HIS OPENNESS AND
HUMBLE NATURE, ED LEE HAS
OFTEN HAD DIFFICULTY KNOWING
HOW TO SAY ‘NO.’ So who will he listen to,
if elected to a full term in office: the voters, or
the powerbrokers? The Real Ed Lee: The Untold,
Untold Story chronicles his 20 years (and
counting) of relationships with unregistered
lobbyists, special interests and billionaires.
Considering his multiple ethics violations,
campaign money laundering, and ongoing
investigations by both the US Attorney and
District Attorney, we come to learn that Ed may
not be the man we want as Mayor, after all.