DBI audit team reviews permits linked to Santos and Curran for integrity violations

The City of San Francisco held a government meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on the ongoing internal audit of the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). The meeting was led by a representative from DBI, who provided updates on the audit process aimed at identifying violations linked to public integrity breaches.

The audit team has categorized properties into three tiers based on their association with two individuals, Minister Santos and Bernard Curran, who were involved in permit applications and inspections. Tier 1 includes addresses directly associated with both individuals, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 encompass properties linked to either individual and their respective slope protection areas.

As of the meeting, the audit team has completed reviews of 119 Tier 1 addresses, identifying 56 that require further follow-up. For Tier 2, which consists of 158 addresses, 65% have been reviewed, with 44 flagged for additional scrutiny. The team is also collaborating with plan review staff to assess the adequacy of slope protection reviews during permit issuance.

To enhance the audit process, DBI is developing a web application to streamline data collection and analysis. The team is also in the process of hiring 31 new building inspectors to support the audit efforts and alleviate the workload on existing staff.

During the public comment segment, concerns were raised regarding potential document concealment by DBI employees and the need for improved oversight in the plan checking function. A whistleblower highlighted issues related to past building code violations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability within the department.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from DBI to continue its audit work and address the concerns raised by the public, ensuring that the integrity of the building inspection process is upheld. Further updates on the audit's progress and findings are expected in future meetings.