Rules Committee continues inquiry into Board of Appeals Commissioner Daryl Honda after he requests more time

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee opened a public inquiry Dec. 13 into allegations that Board of Appeals Commissioner Daryl Honda may have failed to disclose financial conflicts of interest in votes taken in 2015 and 2017. The hearing was introduced by Board President Walton and co-sponsored by several supervisors after media reporting prompted the request for more information.

President Walton told the committee she introduced the Oct. 19 request "to seek additional information regarding allegations that mister Honda participated in discussions and decisions at the Board of Appeals in which he may have had a financial conflict of interest." She said she sent Honda a letter asking for documents in advance of the hearing and that the committee had not received them.

Commissioner Honda read a prepared statement and said he is "trying to determine whether I should have recused myself" on specific votes, that he has begun locating records dating to 2013, and that he "looks forward to closely reviewing these matters with the committee." Honda said some records may be archived and not readily reproduced, and that his counsel, Jim Sutton, advised him "not to answer any specific questions in a public meeting at this time" because of potential legal exposure. Honda said he expects to provide the committee with relevant information after the holidays by Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, and asked that the committee reschedule the hearing to a date in late January.

The committee received two public comments supporting Hondas service record: Scott Sanchez, a former Planning Department representative to the Board of Appeals, praised Honda's "character and integrity," and an attorney identifying herself as Shauna Matlin urged the committee to end the matter. Supervisor Chan said the hearing is intended to investigate whether there is a broader "pay-to-play culture" and to ensure appointed and elected officials meet a high standard of conduct.

Chair Peskin proposed continuing the hearing to the call of the chair with a preference to hear the matter Jan. 10 if documents could be produced sooner. The committee voted to continue the matter to the call of the chair; the motion passed without objection. The committee is expected to schedule a follow-up hearing in late January once Honda submits the requested materials or the chair sets a date.