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SF’s Human Rights Commission ex-leader pleads not guilty to 17 felony charges

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SF’s Human Rights Commission ex-leader pleads not guilty to 17 felony charges


SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The former head of San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission has pleaded not guilty to 17 felonies relating to alleged financial misconduct on the job. 

Sheryl Davis made her first court appearance Thursday, surrounded by supporters who provided a protective barrier around her as she entered and exited the courtroom.  Her attorney, Tony Brass, is skeptical of the charges.

“I think this, the charging document, is a distortion of the truth. I mean, just ask yourselves, ‘who structured this job?’ ‘who structured this department?’ ‘who structured the oversight?’” Brass said.

Prosecutors allege misappropriation of funds and conflicts of interest in the way Davis distributed and used city funds for the Dream Keeper Initiative, the program designed to reinvest in San Francisco’s Black community. 

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“We did find that a portion of this money was spent in a manner that was self-dealing and was for her benefit and the benefit of her brand, ultimately her finances, and paid for things that it was not intended to be used for,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who spoke with reporters about the case on Monday.

Jenkins said as Executive Director of HRC, Davis directed a large chunk of funding to Collective Impact, the non-profit she used to run, at a time when her finances were intermingled with that organization’s new Executive Director, Joseph Spingola. 

Spingola has also been charged with four felonies for aiding and abetting Davis.

But Davis’ attorney blames the city of San Francisco for not providing the oversight and guardrails needed to run San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission.

“They recruited Sheryl Davis from Collective Impact, so to act now like they’re surprised by the fact that there were conflicts, the fact that there was a conflict of interest that was never investigated by the city attorney. How could they not know that?” Brass said.

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Davis did not speak to reporters outside the courtroom, but one of her supporters called the charges an “outrage.”

“These are two of the people with the most integrity, with the most skill, with the most devotion to their community, “ said Margaret Brodkin, the former director of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families. “People who work with them, people who know them, people who understand what this…  would never in a million years question their integrity.”

Davis is due back in court for her preliminary hearing on May 6.



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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco bar hosts immersive

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San Francisco bar hosts immersive


Each week at Last Rites, a Duboce Triangle establishment known for its immersive atmosphere, fans gather for a watch party of the long-running reality television series “Survivor.”

San Francisco resident Kiram Maledi has been a regular since discovering the event with friends.

“We live really close by,” Maledi said. “And my good friend Emily, who turned us on to ‘Survivor,’ found out that Last Rites hosts ‘Survivor’ night. We got super into watching ‘Survivor’ in the past couple years, and the thought of an outing in our neighborhood where we get to participate in community while also indulging in this awesome season is pretty fun.”

“Survivor,” one of the longest-running reality shows in television history, is now in its 50th season on CBS.

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For Maledi, appreciation for the series came later in life.

“I’m a fan of the show because I never thought I’d be into reality TV, and I’m pleasantly surprised,” he said. “It’s a good practice of self to challenge myself for what I think I like. The challenges are super fun to watch. It’s cool to watch and be like, ‘How bad would I be at that?’ And for me to watch the social game and be like, ‘Oh, I would be crushed by that, I would really struggle.’ So to kind of role play like, how would these people do it, how would I do it, and oftentimes just get surprised and into it.”

The bar’s carefully crafted environment adds to the experience. With jungle-inspired decor, layered sound design and even scent elements, the space is designed to evoke a tropical destination, echoing the setting of the show itself.

Screens positioned throughout the bar ensure the episode is visible from nearly every angle.

“This is such a well-crafted space,” Maledi said. “The decorations, sound design — it even smells like what I think a tropical destination bar would smell like. I guess it is that. Drinks are super fantastic. I didn’t even know there was a second side of the menu.”

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At Last Rites, the weekly gathering goes beyond simply watching a television show. For fans, it’s an immersive experience, one that brings them closer to the world of “Survivor,” and to each other.



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San Francisco thieves targeting seniors who wear jewelry, police say

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San Francisco thieves targeting seniors who wear jewelry, police say


SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Police Department is warning the public to be aware of recent jewelry robbery schemes targeting senior citizens around the city.

The perpetrators often operate as part of a larger criminal enterprise that targets victims who wear visible jewelry.

Thieves approach unsuspecting victims, engage them in conversation, and sometimes offer a “gift,” investigators said.

SFPD wrote, “If a stranger approaches you and attempts to make physical contact or offer a gift, step away and alert them that you are calling the police.”

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One incident occurred on March 20, when officers were conducting an undercover robbery abatement operation.

“A plainclothes officer observed the occupants of a white BMW SUV approaching multiple individuals wearing jewelry, attempting to engage in conversation. Officers believed the occupants were casing for potential victims,” the police department wrote. “They observed the vehicle approach a victim near the corner of 17th Avenue and Cabrillo Street. The suspects engaged the victim in conversation and during the interaction, the suspect passenger appeared to place a necklace on the victim and then forcibly steal the victim’s jewelry.”

The BMW fled from officers until officers “disabled the vehicle” on Frederick Street, SFPD wrote. Officers arrested 37-year-old Ludovic-Iustinian Ceausu and 41- year-old Claudia Voinescu on suspicion of robbery, grand theft, elder abuse, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property.

Anyone who suspects they have been targeted in the jewelry scheme should contact police. “All victims are urged to contact the SFPD as quickly as possible if they become a victim. The SFPD will diligently investigate these cases,” the police department wrote.

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New cell tower being built in San Francisco neighborhood despite pushback

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New cell tower being built in San Francisco neighborhood despite pushback



A controversial AT&T cell tower is coming to the San Francisco Diamond Heights neighborhood, despite community pushback. 

Daniel Shereck, a resident and member of the Diamond Heights Community Association, helped lead the charge against its construction. 

 “Their proposal says they’ve got a large brown tower just about 10 stories tall,” Shereck said. 

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AT&T will install a 104-foot macro cell tower in the heart of the neighborhood, next to the San Francisco police academy, a local playground and nearby homes.

“It’s going to be enormous,” Shereck said. 

The city approved the tower, despite opposition from Shereck and members of the Diamond Heights Community Association, who told CBS News Bay Area the tower is an unnecessary eyesore that poses wildfire and pollution risks. 

“We’re really just asking AT&T to follow the alternatives that they have done elsewhere,” Shereck said.

But in a tense hearing before the Board of Supervisors, Cami Blackstone, director of external affairs for AT&T, argued there’s a significant need for the tower. She also says there is no evidence of wildfire or health risks, despite residents’ claims. 

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“I was very dispirited. I’m really concerned about the future of San Francisco,” Shereck said. 

Shereck says the neighborhood will try to find some middle ground.

“Given what we can suggest at this point would probably be considering the color of the tower, covering up exposed wires, trying to make the antenna somewhat less obvious in the community,” Shereck said. 



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