Ethics probe finds ex-Oakland Mayor Schaaf broke campaign rules, recommends $40,000 fine

The enforcement unit of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission issued two reports Friday that recommend levying more than $40,000 in penalties against former Mayor Libby Schaaf for failing to disclose her involvement in campaigns to defeat incumbent candidates for the City Council in 2018 and 2020.

Investigators said the actions appear to be due to a misunderstanding of the law. “Respondents are now admitting liability to the violations in this agreement, thereby taking responsibility for what occurred and working with the PEC to redress any harm caused,” said the finding.

The unit’s investigation determined that Schaaf, who served eight years as Oakland’s mayor and is running for state treasurer in the 2026 election, broke campaign rules because a committee set up in 2018 to oppose the re-election of former Council Member Desley Brooks did not mention Schaaf’s involvement. Brooks lost her re-election to Loren Taylor, who was endorsed by Schaaf.

The then-mayor also failed to identify herself as a participant in a fundraising committee to support Derreck Johnson, a former restaurant owner, in his bid to replace Council Member At-Large Rebecca Kaplan, according to the ethics investigation. Kaplan was re-elected to her seat.



https://www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/article/schaaf-campaign-ethics-violations-penalty-19745308.php