On June 3, election day, this complaint was filed against Mary Jung, chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, for allegedly authorizing deceptive phone calls to voters regarding Proposition B.
On June 3, election day, this complaint was filed against Mary Jung, chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, for allegedly authorizing deceptive phone calls to voters regarding Proposition B.
On June 3, election day, this complaint was filed against Mary Jung, chair of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, for allegedly authorizing deceptive phone calls to voters regarding Proposition B.
Executive Director San Francisco Ethics Commission 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220 San Francisco, CA 94012
Dear Mr. St. Croix:
This letter is a formal complaint against registered lobbyist Mary Jung for violating the San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code. In her capacity as the elected Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Central Committee, Ms. Jung authorized thousands of paid phone calls to San Francisco voters over the last few days that falsely indicated that the No Wall on the Waterfront Campaign is opposed to Proposition B. In fact, No Wall on the Waterfront is the registered political committee that has led the fight for YES on Prop B.
This act by Ms. Jung was a devious and deceptive plan to trick San Francisco voters. More importantly, the paid phone calls authorized by Ms. Jung violate San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 1.163.5 that prohibits false endorsements such as this one that are clearly designed to mislead voters.
According to an Independent Expenditure Report filed with the San Francisco Ethics Commission yesterday, venture capital investor Ron Conway contributed $25,000 to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee on 5/30/14. In turn, the reports shows that Ms. Jung authorized $12,281.13 in expenditures over the last few days for Member Communication Calls from the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee opposing Proposition B.
A transcript of one of those phone calls received by a San Francisco voter on June 2, 2014 at approximately 6:59 pm indicates that the phone calls falsely claimed that No Wall on the Waterfront, a registered political committee for Yes on B, is instead urging a No Vote on Prop B:
Transcript of no on b call received by a San Francisco voter on 6/2/14 at 6:59 pm a live paid person calling
Call started off:
Im calling about the no wall on the waterfront campaign. Prop B is about environmental loopholes, against affordable housing No on B endorsements the Democratic Party, Alice Toklas democratic club, labor.
paid for by the San Francisco Democratic Party
As a former elected member of the San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee I am appalled at Mary Jungs actions to use the Democratic Partys good name, reputation, and resources to deliberately confuse voters on this important issue. While I realize she employed as a highly paid lobbyist for the San Francisco Association of Realtors who oppose Prop. B it crosses the line for Ms. Jung to violate the ethical codes and San Francisco law in this manner.
I urge the Ethics Commission to take immediate action to enforce the provisions of the San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code that were violated by Mary Jung.
Sincerely,
Geraldine Crowley 7 Fielding Court San Francisco, CA 94133