The Thomas-Murphy Report

Luke Thomas	Pat Murphy

Costs Sought in City Investigation of Sentinel

Monday, September 19, 2005

The Sentinel today sought costs incurred by city investigation to determine whether fogcityjournal.com should be regulated by the San Francisco Ethics Commission.

District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly asked for that determination last month during a Board of Supervisors meeting.

"The Sentinel is clearly a political committee and San Franciscans deserve to know who funds them as required by state law," Daly maintained August 26.

He asked both the San Francisco City Attorney and the San Francisco Ethics Commission for investigation, citing Daly "…concern the San Francisco Sentinel is skirting campaign finance rules."

Daly based his request, he said, on Sentinel editorial positions, and on Sentinel publication of political advertising.

In a letter to Daly, the Sentinel sought "copies of all communications, letters, memoranda, emails and faxes between your office, any staff member of your office, and the San Francisco Ethics Commission and any staff member of the San Francisco Ethics Commission" related to city scrutiny of Sentinel status.

Under the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance, Daly is required to disclose that information by the close of business Tuesday.

The Sentinel also requested the same information, as well as release of decision, from the San Francisco Ethics Commission.

In a separate letter to the City Attorney, the Sentinel asked for release of costs incurred by City Attorney's Office in responding to Daly.

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