San Francisco District 4 Supervisor Beya Alcaraz resigned on Thursday, November 13, just seven days after she was sworn into office. The sudden exit followed allegations of tax-related misconduct and inhumane conditions at a pet store that she owned.
The San Francisco Standard first reported on the squalor at Alcaraz’s former business on Monday, November 10:
The Animal Connection was in a state of squalor when Alcaraz handed over the store to Baran in May, according to more than a dozen videos and photos that Baran shared with The Standard. Baran said she discovered hundreds of dead mice beneath shelving on the sales floor, cages covered in rodent urine, mounds of trash, and a freezer filled with dozens of deceased pets.
“It smells like death,” Baran said in a May 19 video that showed masses of dead mice and feces behind one of the store’s shelves. Baran said it took months and thousands of dollars to clean out the filth and bring the shop to a state in which she feels comfortable welcoming customers.
“There was a layer of pee and dust and poop on everything,” Baran said. “On the walls. On every cabinet. On a lot of the inventory, so I couldn’t even sell it.”
According to Baran, reptiles that were kept in the back of the store were left in cages covered with mouse urine and feces. There were around 40 dead animals left behind at the store, Baran claimed.
Three days after the Standard’s story, the San Francisco Examiner reported that city inspectors had made several visits to the pet store over the years. The city had even issued a warning to Alcaraz over the poor conditions.
Mission Local also published text messages Thursday between Alcaraz and Baran, in which Alcaraz stated that she paid her store employees “under the table” to avoid taxes. Alcaraz also admitted to billing dinners with friends as a “business expense” to get the write-off.
On Thursday evening, Alcaraz — who was appointed to the job by Mayor Daniel Lurie — announced her resignation.
“When I raised my hand to serve as supervisor, I told the mayor that it was time for someone who is from the Sunset to represent the Sunset. I believe that my community deserves someone who will work 24/7 to advocate for us,” she said. “I understand that today’s news stories would distract me from doing that.”
This is the first real scandal for San Francisco’s new mayor, and it has raised serious questions about his team’s vetting process.
Even before the pet store allegations came to light, City Hall observers expressed surprise at Alcaraz’s appointment. She had no government or policy experience whatsoever when she was tapped to represent the 80,000-person district. According to Mission Local, she simply “approached the mayor at a Sunset night market and asked him to hire her,” which he did. Baran said no one from the mayor’s office contacted her before Alcaraz was hired.
This isn’t the first time District 4 has felt political turbulence. Alcaraz’s predecessor, Joel Engardio, was recalled in September after backing a measure (Prop K) that permanently closed a section of the Upper Great Highway, sparking major backlash. The Alcaraz scandal has only deepened the sense of turmoil in the district.
“Mayor Lurie owes San Franciscans an explanation for this baffling situation,” said Jamie Hughes, who led the recall campaign against Alcaraz’s predecessor Joel Engardio.