San Francisco, CA
Former San Francisco utility boss given lenient sentence of four years
A federal judge Monday sentenced Harlan Kelly, the former head of San Francisco’s Public Utility Commission, to four years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for his role in a widespread corruption scandal.
Kelly was convicted last year for taking part in a scheme that involved taking gifts from a city contractor that included a free trip to China, as well as lying on a loan application.
Despite his leniency, Judge Richard Seeborg chastised Kelly for his betrayal of the public trust.
“Mr. Kelly participated in very serious criminal conduct,” Seeborg said of the yearslong corruption scheme Kelly participated in. “He betrayed the public trust and made a mockery of his oath to serve the public.”
Seeborg, who said the “most shocking” aspect of the case was Kelly’s sharing confidential information with a city contractor, wondered aloud why Kelly, who had such a successful life, did what he did.