Investigators issue eight subpoenas related to alleged DPW scandal

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced Wednesday he has issued eight subpoenas for information involving the alleged public corruption scandal with former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and entrepreneur Nick Bovis.

The subpoenas were issued to companies and nonprofits, including Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., construction companies Webcor and Pankow and Clark Construction, Recology, Lefty O’Doul’s Foundation for Kids, the San Francisco Parks Alliance and the San Francisco Clean City Coalition.

A total of 10 subpoenas were issued because some of the companies operate under more than one enmity, the City Attorney’s Office said.

Bovis was in charge of the Lefty O’Doul’s Foundation for Kids, which held annual holiday toy drives and accepted donations for youth baseball equipment for youth.

The City Attorney’s Office believes the companies and nonprofits were funneling donations to fund city programs and events.

Herrera said in a statement:

“We’re following the facts, and we’re following the money.”

“We are going to follow the evidence wherever it leads. We will get to the bottom of this. San Franciscans deserve no less.”

The San Francisco Examiner reported that donations from Webcor, Recology and Pankow to Bovis’ foundation allegedly went to fund a $30,000 party for Public Works staff.

All three companies told the Examiner they were surprised donations may have been spent for a party.

Herrera’s office also gave an update on an alleged scheme where Nuru is suspected of giving Bovis inside information about a public toilet city contract.

Herrrra and Controller Ben Rosenfield, who are jointly working on the investigation, said they’ve identified what could be a problematic $171,000 contract awarded to SMTM Technology LLC, an entity related to Bovis.

Officials said The City had already terminated the contract on Feb. 7, 2020 for “non-performance by deadline” and the company was not paid.

Both offices are still investigating contracts involving the Department of Public Works and city contractors described in the federal complaint but not mentioned by name.