“We Erased It”

Tonight, we focus on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s use of police escorts and his state-of-the-art hybrid SUV, purchased with tax dollars -- whether taxpayers should be paying for his security detail when he goes on private trips and events. Tax watchdogs, city supervisors and at least one former San Francisco mayor are questioning whether Newsom uses the police escorts more for show than security.

As part of our investigation, we filed a Sunshine Ordinance request for the surveillance video from a Muni bus that sideswiped the mayor’s SUV three weeks ago. The answer? Staff somehow recorded over the video. Some coincidence. Muni did provide the hour after the accident to us. You can watch some clips here.

First, the driver talks over the radio with central dispatch: “Yeah. It, it was the Mayor's car.” Then, the driver pulls the bus over and has a conversation with a Muni inspector, standing on the curb:

Muni Inspector: “Nobody hurt, right?”
Bus Driver: “No, nobody hurt it was just—“ (gestures with hand).
Muni Inspector: “Okay.”
Bus Driver: “That's the bad part. Yeah I was just, you know I wasn't—“
Muni Inspector: “Yeah, I heard that I said, ‘Uh-oh.’”
Bus Driver: “I know I was like this, when he came out I'm like psshh, (other driver laughs) but you know, things happen. It wasn't like I, I was going fast. I was doing my job (unintelligible) it's just, they was too far from the curb and you know?”

Muni released a report on the accident that says the mayor’s driver, Officer Marc Chan, was inside the Tahoe at the time of the crash – that he had parked twenty inches from the curb. The bus driver, Ramon Garner, “stated that he was going outbound on Mission at 25th, took a partial left lane to avoid parked car away from the curb, cleared front end but rear end clipped driver side mirror.”

Today’s I-Team report was based in large part on public records, and it’s been a battle. The SFPD redacted large portions of the documents they did provide – even the hotel where the police escort stayed, during the mayor’s wedding. We’ll be filing an appeal with the City Attorney’s Office, and will let you know how it turns out.

Comments

[Cohen]

As usual, the delay tactics, abuse of public records, shady and corrupt behaviors and status quo, "no comment" answers are all that anyone can expect. They both, Newsom and Fong, need to go! I also think that an outside investigation into their illicit and corrupt improprieties needs to be initiated.

come join us next at www.insidethesfpd.com

[RJP94114]

Oh get over yourself Cohen! Of course the sky's falling and everyone should go. This coverage sounds like it has an undertone of a witch hunt with pre-conceived comments. I'll agree Fong's not been the best Chief, in fact down right horrible but this whole issue comes down to the way things are in today's life - tons of criticism and hate. In simple terms, he's our mayor, he's entitled to safety and protection which is way different than back when Mayor Agnos was in office. It'd be different if we were talking about liquor tabs and stripper joint bills. We're talking about a vehicle alone in expense! Mayor Agnos' comments were almost stupid when included in the investigation - maybe he should have had an extra horse and buggy on his security detail during those times. In a grander look at the issue, we're talking about $15K. I bet this investigation by ABC7 and the trouble it's causing will cost a lot more than that! I say leave him alone and stop this witch hunt! I smell "Yes on 8" witch hunters!

[sfmike]

Oh please, RJP. From a "No on 8" homo who lives in Civic Center, every detail of Noyes' report sounds about right. Newsom's security detail is ridiculously large. You'd think he was the president of the USA or something rather than a crappy, ineffective mayor of a smallish city.

[Jodapoet]

Another witch hunt by Dan Noyes. I am not surprised at all that the Mayor will not speak to you. I wouldn't either. What you do in regards to the Mayor is not at all investigative journalism. I will be penning my own blog post in regards to this matter. What I will say here Mr. Noyes is do your job and investigate the stories which are important.

[smell a rat]

This administration is flawed by ill behavior and cover up. he did not need his suv in montana on a private ranch that nobody could get too. he will be out of a job soon..he has no shot at govenor of this great state

[Zahira Cortes]

I would like to know why when chief fong uses money for personal business why is she allowed to say its okay, but if a police officer was to use a police car for personal business chief fong would be yelling and screaming at the police officer. the funny thing is the chief is a liar and has been caught lying under oath and a memorandum had been written regarding the lying under oath and the chief had the investigation stopped. chief fong is the worst chief in history. chief fong has done nothing her entire career except collect a paycheck