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.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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October 26, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Tony Hall: Wedding singer, marriage counselor and I’m guessing a doula as well.