Supervisor Sean Elsbernd aide, Olivia Scanlon.
Photo by Luke Thomas

By Luke Thomas

October 26, 2008

A criminal complaint has been filed against an aide to District 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, Fog City Journal has learned.

Filed with the district attorney’s office October 24 by defense attorney David Waggoner, the complaint alleges Olivia Scanlon falsified evidence and committed perjury when she testified before the San Francisco Ethics Commission, June 9, during a hearing to investigate alleged money laundering and campaign violations by former District 7 Supervisor Tony Hall.

In that testimony, Scanlon said a check she wrote to Hall was a true and accurate copy of the original check she wrote and signed. A second, bank-certified, version of the same check obtained under subpoena, however, includes the word “Services” in the memo section of the check.

Scanlon testified the check she wrote to Hall was a loan. Hall claims the check was payment for marriage-counseling services he provided to Scanlon and her husband, Seamus Cudden, as well as consulting services provided to Cudden for help with land use issues, code compliance, and building permits for his construction business.

The hearing continues Monday at City Hall, 9:00am. Waggoner said Scanlon will be called back to the witness stand to explain the difference between the two versions of the same check. Elsbernd, who is running for re-election, is also expected to testify.

Update: SFUsualSuspects.com reports Mr. Elsbernd is “seeking a legislative aide.” The job listing was posted on the city’s website, October 21 at 8:00 am.