https://ktla.com/news/local-news/san-francisco-public-corruption-probe-snares-a-second-high-ranking-official/
San Francisco public corruption probe snares a 2nd high-ranking official
A widening public corruption probe ensnared a second high-ranking San Francisco official Tuesday when the mayor announced she had placed the director of the building inspections department on leave following an investigation by the city attorney’s office.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s office released a memo Tuesday showing that building inspections director Tom Hui accepted free dinners from people with development business pending before his department. Hui also turned to one of those people for help seeking city employment for his son and the son’s then-girlfriend.
The office determined Hui was the unnamed official described in a unsealed federal criminal complaint against Mohammed Nuru, the former public works director who prosecutors say accepted lavish gifts from people doing business with the city, including a $2,000 bottle of wine.
“There is no place in public service for self-dealing,” Mayor London Breed said in a letter to Angus McCarthy, president of the commission that has the power to fire the director. “Mr. Hui abused his position and authority, and betrayed the public trust.”
San Francisco isn’t the only city in California dealing with a public corruption scandal. Former Los Angeles city councilman Mitch Englander surrendered to FBI agents Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges that he obstructed an investigation into whether he took money, escort services and other gifts from a businessman involved in development.
An automatic reply from Hui’s work email said he was currently out of the office.
Angus McCarthy, president of the Building Inspection Commission, said in a letter that while he is confident department staff are aware of ethics requirements, “this ongoing investigation serves to remind us that as public employees we have an obligation and a duty to always conduct ourselves with the utmost integrity.”
The department inspects buildings and issues permits for construction. Hui, who has been director since 2013, earns $350,000 in salary and benefits, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.