John Francis Porter, Charged With Bribery, Money Laundering
SAN FRANCISCO – A second former executive at waste and recycling company Recology has been charged with bribery in connection with a city hall corruption scandal that has ensnared former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and other city officials.
Federal prosecutors said John Francis Porter, former vice
president and group manager of Recology’s San Francisco Group, has been charged
with one count of bribery and one count of money laundering.
“Once again a person employed by a company contracting with
San Francisco has been charged with bribing a San Francisco City Hall official
with more than $1 million of funds and benefits,” acting U.S. Attorney
Stephanie M. Hinds said in a statement.
The 37-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine if convicted on the bribery charge and up to 20 years in prison
and a $500,000 fine if convicted on the money laundering charge.
“Porter was a central player in the scheme detailed in the
complaint that provided Nuru, then the DPW Director, with a continuous stream
of money and benefits to influence Nuru to engage in official acts benefitting
Recology,” said Hinds’ office.
Prosecutors allege that Porter, with the help of fellow
executive Paul Giusti, helped direct more than $1 million in benefits to Nuru,
who was Recology’s regulator. Giusti was charged with bribery and money
laundering late last year.
The complaint cited an email Porter sent to a colleague
which said, “Mohammed is the Director of the DPW who ultimately signs off on
our rates. Needless to say, keeping him happy is important.”
According to the complaint, Porter sought Nuru’s assistance
in Recology’s efforts to raise the “tipping fees” it charged the city for
dumping materials at its Sustainable Crushing facility and enlisted the help of
Giusti.
The complaint alleges that Giusti agreed to bribe Nuru
$20,000 to influence him on the increase. Porter then approved a $20,000 check
described as a “holiday donation” to the Lefty O’Doul’s Foundation for Kids,
which was run by Nick Bovis. Prosecutors said Bovis used the Recology money to
fund Nuru’s holiday party for the Department of Public Works.
Bovis pled guilty last year to bribing Nuru. The attempt to
raise the tipping fee was not successful.
Prosecutors said Porter ultimately approved $55,000 to fund
Nuru’s holiday parties which were disguised as donations to the Lefty O’Doul’s
foundation.
Porter also allegedly approved hundreds of thousands of
dollars in Recology payments made at Nuru’s direction to a San Francisco
nonprofit for a DPW program called “Giant Sweep.” The nonprofit briefly held
the money before taking a 5% cut and sent the remainder to Nuru-controlled
accounts at another nonprofit, according to prosecutors.
Eleven people have been charged in connection with the
scandal and multiple defendants have pled guilty.
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