Ethics Commission approves soft-stipulation in 2018 Lisonbee Collins school board matter

The San Francisco Ethics Commission approved a proposed soft-stipulation decision and order in the Lisonbee Collins 2018 school board matter during its regular meeting.

Director Ford told commissioners the item "appears as a regular agenda item as opposed to a consent calendar item only because it was signed within 10 days before this meeting," and that the streamlined administrative resolution process was used after respondents took corrective action. Commissioner Romano asked whether investigators had found "intent to deceive or conceal," and counsel said investigators "did not find any evidence of any abuse of power or intent or, willful deceit."

The record shows respondents amended campaign statements to disclose previously missing contributor information and filed the missing personal financial disclosure statements, steps described by staff as corrective actions that merited inclusion in the streamlined program. Commissioners did not identify additional factual disputes on the record.

A motion to approve the stipulation was made and seconded; the commission recorded roll-call votes of Commissioner Bush — Aye; Chair Lee — Aye; Commissioner Romano — Aye. The motion was approved unanimously.

The stipulation was placed on the regular agenda because it was signed within 10 days of the meeting, not because of any substantive difference from items typically handled on the consent calendar. No callers were in the public-comment queue for this item, and commission staff noted the corrective filings were already submitted by the respondents.

The commission proceeded to other business after the vote; no further penalties, amendments, or deadlines were announced on the public record for this item.