George Gascón fined over campaign funds

District Attorney George Gascon and two of his top aides have agreed to pay thousands of dollars in fines for violating city laws prohibiting the solicitation of political contributions from city officers and employees, San Francisco Ethics Commission officials said today.

Gascon agreed to pay $4,000 in connection with a November 2014 fundraising event held at Ted’s Sports Bar & Grill in aid of his re-election campaign.

Cristine Soto DeBerry, Gascon’s chief of staff, and Assistant District Attorney Michael Swart agreed to pay $1,500 each in connection with the same event.

Commission Chair Paul Renne said in a statement today:

“This law is designed to uphold the integrity of public service by ensuring that the performance of public duties, not political performance, is the basis for government employment and advancement. … We hope this disposition will be a message to all city officers and employees about the important purpose this ban serves.”