Ed Jew

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Ed Jew

Born Edmund Jew
1960
San Francisco, California
Residence San Francisco and/or Burlingame
Nationality United States
Education MBA in Economics
Occupation None
Employers Canton Flower Shop, City and County of San Francisco, Howard Mock Jew Inc.
Known for District 4 Supervisor of San Francisco, Owner of Canton Flower Shop
Political party Democrat
Spouse Lisa Jew
Children 1
Parents Howard Jew
Website
Official Website

Edmund "Ed" Jew (simplified Chinese: 赵悦明; traditional Chinese: 趙悦明; pinyin: Zhào Yuèmíng, born 1960 in San Francisco, California) was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors representing District 4 (comprises most of the Sunset District). He was suspended by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and later resigned in the face of extortion allegation and residency violation.

Contents

[edit] Personal life

His grandfather emigrated from China around the turn of the century. By 1927, his grandfather James Jew had established the well known Canton Flower Shop in Chinatown and became a distinguished leader in the Chinese community.

Edmund Jew, a third generation San Franciscan, was born and raised in San Francisco. He graduated from McAteer High School, followed by a degree in economics from San Francisco State University. In 1984, he earned an MBA degree from Golden Gate University. In addition to his academic achievements, Jew bought his first real estate at the age of 21 in San Francisco and as of 2002 had a real estate portfolio worth as much as $5 million.

Before entering politics, Jew ran his family flower shop with his wife, Lorene Jew, who is also known as Lisa. He also owned Howard Mock Jew, Inc., a local taxi company.[1]

Jew currently claims residence in the Sunset District, while his wife and daughter continue to live in Burlingame, California.

[edit] Political career

Jew was former District 4 supervisor Leland Yee's volunteer community liaison in 1996. He also served on numerous community organizations, namely the Advisory Council of the Office of Aging, the board of the Northeast Community Federal Credit Union, the board of the Chinese Holocaust Museum, the vice president of the Sunset Residents Association, and member of the Sunset Parkside Education and Action Committee. In November 2006, Jew was elected supervisor of District 4, succeeding Fiona Ma who was at the same time elected to the California State Assembly, representing the Sunset District.

[edit] Controversies

[edit] FBI raid and extortion allegations

On May 18, 2007, the FBI searched Jew's office at City Hall, as well as his two houses and his Chinatown flower shop in connection with what they termed "potentially federal criminal allegations".

Jew reportedly referred the owners of a tapioca drink shop, Quickly, to a man named Robert Chan, from the Bridgeway Consulting company to resolve their permit issues. After several weeks, the owners paid the $40,000 owed not to the consultant, but to Ed Jew himself. He claims that he has turned over the money to the consultant and asked half to be donated to the Friends of Sunset Playground, a local organization set up to raise money for the renovation of a playground located at 28th Avenue and Lawton Street. The $10,000 donation, which was made to the group nearly a month after Jew received the money, and after the FBI raid, was rejected by the group's fiscal agency.[2][3]

On June 10, 2007, the Quickly's business owners claimed that they never handed over their own cash to Ed Jew, but did hand over cash that was supplied to them by the FBI. In fact a law enforcement official close to the investigation leaked that the FBI used one of their own undercover agents to meet with Jew to hand over the money. The Quickly's business reps also said that it was Jew who approached them about the money issue, contrary to what Jew said to the press when the story first broke.[4]

On September 20, 2007, federal prosecutors officially charged Jew with one count of mail fraud in connection with extorting $80,000 from Quickly. Mayor Gavin Newsom has issued a statement asking Jew to resign.[5] On September 21, Jew pleaded not guilty to mail fraud. His attorney Steven Gruel said that the federal case was weak and questioned what influences Jew could have over the issuing of permits. He also said that Jew has no intention to resign. If convicted to fraud charge, Jew could face up to 20 years of imprisonment.[6]

On November 7, 2007, a federal grand jury added five new felony charges against Jew, replacing the previous single mail fraud charge. The charges include two counts each of bribery and mail fraud and one count of extortion. He is also accused of accepting $4,000 in cash from the owner of Wonderful Desserts and Cafe. Jew's lawyer, Steven Gruel, said that Jew denied these allegations and will plead not guilty.[7]

In December, his lawyer Steve Gruel exited the case, again citing "irreconcilable differences."

[edit] Residency requirements violation

In late May, 2007, the San Francisco city attorney began investigating whether or not Ed Jew meets the residency requirements needed to hold his city supervisor position, as new information emerged raising question about Jew's claim to reside at a house on 28th Avenue.[8]

On June 12, 2007, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris formally issued a warrant for the arrest of Supervisor Ed Jew. The nine counts of felony charges against Jew include four counts of perjury, three election code violations, voter fraud, and providing false documents when he claimed in candidacy papers that he was a resident of the Sunset district.[9] Later on the same date, Jew turned himself in to be booked at the Burlingame Police Department with bail set at $135,000. He retained the services of former Assistant District Attorney Bill Fazio and attorney Steven Gruel to represent him in this criminal proceeding.

On June 18, 2007, City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed a lawsuit to remove Ed Jew from office. Citing records that showed little uses of utilities and interviews of 32 neighbors, he declared that the supervisor has violated the residency requirements of the City Charter.[10][11] San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who expressed concern about Jew continuing to cast votes while the legitimacy of his claim of residency was in question, urged Jew to explain himself. He also said he was reviewing city law to find out what power he had to remove Jew from office.[12]

On July 4, 2007, Jew's attorneys issued a 138-paged response to Herrara's petition arguing that even if Jew had not lived full time in his home in District 4, his election has not violated any election laws. They also accused Herrara of bias and of being politically motivated in bringing charges against Jew.[13] Ten days later, City Attorney Dennis Herrera responded to the accusation, calling it a desperate act and denying Jew's charges.[14]

On July 17, 2007, Jew pleaded not guilty to nine counts of perjury and other crimes. His attorney asked Superior Court Judge Harold Kahn to repeal his $135,000 bail saying that he was not a flight risk. He also waived his right for a speedy trial. Kahn agreed to void the bail after Jew agreed to surrender his passport.[15]

During the four day preliminary hearing, beginning on July 27, 2007, prosecutors presented testimony from Jew's neighbors at both of his homes, indicating that Jew has never lived in his 28th Avenue home and spent most of his time in Burlingame. Testimony from a U.S. Postal Service inspector also indicates that his first-class mail goes to Burlingame while junk mail goes to his San Francisco home. Finally, prosecutors cited records including his water bills and gas bills showing low usage of utilities at his 28th Avenue home, as well as loan applications that indicate he lived in Burlingame. In defense, Jew's attorney presented a jury duty summons to indicate his address in San Francisco. He also questioned the possible bias in the testimonies of witnesses.[16] On August 2, 2007, Kahn ruled there was sufficient evidence to compel Jew to stand trial. If convicted on any one of the charges, Jew would have been removed from office.[17]

In October, Jew's defense attorney Bill Fazio exited the case, citing "irreconcilable differences." In a written response, Jew agreed that he didn't oppose Fazio's exit and that they have mutual consent. Jew's trial for his residency violation scheduled on October 26 would have to be postponed.[18]

[edit] Suspended by Mayor

On September 25, 2007, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom suspended Jew for alleged official misconduct and began the process of removing him from office. Jew was also served with an outline drawn up by the city attorney of charges of misconduct for allegedly lying about where he lived. Deputy budget director Carmen Chu was assigned as a temporary replacement for Jew on the SF Board of Supervisors.[19]

[edit] Resignation

On January 10, 2008, Ed Jew tendered his resignation effective January 11, 2008 in exchange for Herrera and Newsom dropping both the civil lawsuit and misconduct proceeding before the Ethics Commission regarding his residency violation. In his letter, he noted that he faced tremendous legal expenses and has sworn never to seek public office ever again in his best interest of his family. He still faces more serious federal criminal prosecution and other civil litigation.[20]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Biography of Ed Jew on his website. Retrieved June 16, 2007
  2. ^ FBI questions S.F. supervisor, searches office. San Francisco Chronicle (18 May 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
  3. ^ Caught on Tape: FBI Raids SF Supervisors' Office. CBS5 (18 May, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-19.
  4. ^ FBI's cash paid Ed Jew, source says. San Francisco Chronicle (June 10, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-06-10.
  5. ^ Feds charge SF lawmaker with trying to extort $80K, San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. ^ San Francisco supervisor pleads not guilty to fraud charge, San Francisco Chronicle.
  7. ^ Supervisor Ed Jew hit with 5 new charges in federal indictment, San Francisco Chronicle.
  8. ^ S.F. supervisor is investigated over question of city residency. San Francisco Chronicle (22 May 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  9. ^ Jew's lawyer rips local probe as 'politically driven'. San Francisco Examiner (June 19, 2007). Retrieved on June 19, 2007.
  10. ^ City Attorney moves to remove Ed Jew from office. San Francisco Chronicle (June 18, 2007). Retrieved on June 18, 2007.
  11. ^ City attorney looks to file lawsuit to oust embattled supervisor. San Francisco Chronicle (June 18, 2007). Retrieved on June 18, 2007.
  12. ^ MAYOR TO ED JEW: 'PROVE IT'. San Francisco Chronicle (June 20, 2007). Retrieved on June 20, 2007.
  13. ^ Ed Jew's lawyers reply to charges. San Francisco Chronicle (July 11, 2007). Retrieved on July 11, 2007.
  14. ^ City attorney toughens case against Ed Jew. San Francisco Chronicle (July 14, 2007). Retrieved on July 14, 2007.
  15. ^ ED JEW SURPRISES D.A., PUSHES FOR QUICK TRIAL. San Francisco Chronicle (July 17, 2007). Retrieved on July 19, 2007.
  16. ^ Witnesses, loan application undermine Ed Jew's claims. San Francisco Chronicle (July 31, 2007). Retrieved on August 3, 2007.
  17. ^ Felony perjury trial set for Ed Jew. San Francisco Chronicle (August 2, 2007). Retrieved on August 3, 2007.
  18. ^ Supervisor Jew's defense attorney wants to quit case. San Francisco Chronicle (October 4, 2007). Retrieved on November 9, 2007.
  19. ^ Supervisor Ed Jew suspended from office. San Francisco Chronicle (September 25, 2007). Retrieved on September 25, 2007.
  20. ^ Ed Jew tenders resignation. San Francisco Chronicle (January 10, 2008). Retrieved on January 10, 2008.

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Fiona Ma		 Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
District 4
2006–2007		 Succeeded by
Carmen Chu