Feinstein comments on Newsom

McGoldrick confronts Newsom and asks him to step down

Newsom goes into rehab

Mayor's press office can't bring themselves to talk

Mayor Gavin Newsom will be entering a rehab program for alcohol abuse. File photo 1/31/6
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Daniela Kirshenbaum and Luke Thomas

Fog City Journal developing story

First published: February 5, 2007, 4:20 p.m.

Update: 2/6/7, 6:36 p.m.

Senator Dianne Feinstein spokesperson Scott Gerber released the following statement to Fog City Journal:

"I think the mayor will solve his problem, and I wish him well. I intend to continue to work with him in any way I can.

"He will see this thing through ok."

Update: 2/6/7, 2:20 p.m.

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick met with Mayor Gavin Newsom at 1.00 p.m. today. In the Room 200 meeting, McGoldrick called on Newsom to resign.

Following their meeting, McGoldrick told Fog City:

"I asked him to resign for the good of the city and for his own good and he's more accountable for his own good than anyone else on this earth... certainly for the good of the city he should step aside.

"His actions are not consequential merely in the private realm, his actions are consequential in the public realm. He is a public figure, number one public figure in San Francisco and he has got to be held accountable. He can't just ask us to forget.

"He (Newsom) said that he resents that I would go after him in a situation like this because bascially he is down and why would I pick on him when he is down.

"I said, well you're just trying to do exactly what's the worst thing about this, portraying yourself as a victim. The victims are the people you were involved with; the woman you were involved with, her family, her husband - they have a child - and the people of San Francisco.

"You just don't give a one minute fourty eight second memorized, sort of phoney press conference, and then walk away. and then a few days later when you're forced to... portray yourself as the victim seeking counselling, whatever that means."

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick

Following their meeting Newsom Press Secretary Peter Ragone told Fog City, to his knowledge, no other elected officials have so far called on Newsom to resign.

Update 2/6/7, 10:37 a.m.

A statement is expected from Feinstein's office later today.

Update: 2/6/07, 9:12 a.m.

Senator Feinstein's office denies Feinstein is calling on Newsom to resign.

Update: 2/5/7, 6:08 p.m.

Sources have told Fog City Journal that Senator Dianne Feinstein is due to ask Mayor Gavin Newsom to resign in the wake of his announcement that he will be entering rehab.

Senator Dianne Feinstein. File photo 10/23/6.

Update: 2/5/7, 6:04 p.m.

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick is quoted on KGO-Channel 7 news calling on Mayor Gavin Newsom to resign.

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick

Update: 2/5/7, 6:00 p.m.

Statement from the Mayor's Office

Today Mayor Newsom attended a regularly scheduled department head meeting. At the meeting he expressed a deep sense of sorrow for what has happened in his personal life. He also informed department heads that he had stopped drinking and that he was seeking professional assistance to support his decision. The Mayor reiterated that he accepts full responsibility for his personal mistakes and his problems with alcohol are not an excuse for his errors.

“Upon reflection with friends and family this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I will be a better person without alcohol in my life,” said Mayor Newsom. “I take full responsibility for my personal mistakes and my problems with alcohol are not an excuse for my personal lapses in judgment.”

He reiterated his intention to continue serving the people of San Francisco while he seeks support from Mimi Silbert and the Delancey Street Foundation in the city. His treatment will not interfere with his day to day responsibilities to the people of San Francisco.

Update: 2/5/7, 4:20 p.m.

At about 4:05 p.m. David Miree of the Mayor's press office would not confirm the announcement that Mayor Gavin Newsom would be going into non-residential rehab treatment for alcohol abuse.

Miree checked with Jennifer Petrucione, another staffer, and we were told only that she would get back to us.

Fog City Journal regrets the Newsom administration continues to be less than forthcoming with press inquiries.

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