The Director of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, Debbie Raphael, resigned Thursday after it was revealed she’d solicited a $25,000 donation from a waste hauler that was finalizing a city contract for services in 2015.
The latest controversy adds another layer to the corruption scandal plaguing San Francisco offices. Raphael’s departure came months after former Department of Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud in connection with a pay-to-play scandal at City Hall.
“This is more than deeply disturbing, it really makes me sick,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin, as quoted by the San Francisco Examiner. “And I am deeply concerned that it’s not close to over.”
The solicitation was first detailed by the San Francisco Standard. Peskin has called for hearings in the matter.
Tyrone Jue has been appointed to carry out Raphael’s duties on an interim basis. Jue serves as assistant deputy general manager for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. He is also an environmental advisor to Mayor London Breed and serves as her appointee on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors.