San Francisco Ethics Commission fines former Board member $22,200 for financial disclosure violations

The San Francisco Ethics Commission convened on July 4, 2025, to address a significant case involving former Board of Appeals President, Mr. Honda, who faced penalties for failing to disclose 37 sources of commission income over a four-year period. Director Ford presented the case, highlighting that Mr. Honda had not reported these financial interests on his Form 700 filings, which is required for city officials earning $10,000 or more from commission-based income.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Honda had cooperated by filing amended forms to disclose the omitted interests. However, the commission determined a penalty of $22,200, calculated at $600 per omitted interest. This decision sparked debate among commissioners regarding the severity of the penalty, with some arguing it was too lenient given the number of violations.

Public comments during the meeting reflected concerns about Mr. Honda's overall transparency and accountability, with several speakers advocating for a more substantial penalty. They pointed out that Mr. Honda had also failed to disclose ownership interests in eight properties, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest during his tenure.

In response to inquiries, Director Ford clarified that the commission's review did not find evidence of willful deception or conflicts of interest related to the undisclosed income. He emphasized that the stipulation approved by the commission only addressed the specific reporting violations and did not preclude further investigations into other potential misconduct.

The motion to approve the stipulation passed with a 3-2 vote, with dissenting opinions expressing concern over the perceived leniency of the penalty. The commission plans to enhance training for Form 700 filers to prevent similar issues in the future, aiming to improve compliance and ethical standards among city officials.