THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - A CABAL AND SATURATED WITH CORRUPTION OF THE WORST ORDER - TIME TO GET RID OF THE RUBBISH - CORRUPT MANAGERS AT SFPUC.

 

https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2001/11/24/1102581.php

(Click - Go to address )

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

( Please go the Agenda 4 - to listen to the testimony)

I have seen it all, the lies, cheating, wheeling and dealing - millions of dollars wasted - and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - hoodwinking us in broad daylight - enough is enough.

Joe King, his son Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla - decent, hardworking SFPUC workers who belong to SF Laborers Union 261 -  they paid their dues, but the Union 261 let them down.

The main issue was "Confined Space " - any worker who does this work will tell you you need training and certification, and that you must follow Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.

Joe King was incharge and soon found out that his workers were put in harm's way. He brought the issue to his higher-ups, William Taehan and Frank Jordon, and instead of finding a solution, the managers chose to gang up on Joe King and dismiss him without cause.

They then turned to Adolfo Padilla - the team leader - and his boss Joe King.

Joy Chan, who works for SFPUC Human Resources, moved Adolfo Padilla from one project to another - his last move was to work with the Arborist, and he had no training, except that someone showed him how to use a saw.

These three workers worked very hard  - Joe King for eight years, and no one ever wrote him up. Joe King received five commendations.

Conrad King, his son, worked for three years and also received a commendation. Conrad did nothing wrong - he was chided for not wearing work boots, even as he was going to change to his work clothes, and of course would change to wearing his work boots.

Joe King was called to the office one day and told he had passed his test, and he left happy about his promotion.

The very next day, Joe King was called and told that he was relieved of his job and had to clear his belongings. So was Adolfo Padilla, even though Adolfo Padilla was injured while working for the Arborist without any training.

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

Adolfo Padilla is due for an operation on December 4, 2025, for a serious spine injury.

On Conrad's father's birthday, Conrad was called to the office and told he had been relieved of his job.

I reviewed all the documents Joe King has - he kept records of everything and nothing whatsoever - calls for the sordid actions taken by the managers Steve Richie, William Teahan, and Frank Jordon.

Each of these managers must be audited - their actions are well known. 

One, Willian Taehan was watching PORN, and there was an article in the papers some years ago. When it suits these jerks, they do as they please.  

We appeared at two SFPUC Commission Meetings and gave testimony; the General Manager and the SFPU Commissioners led the testimony. 

They know that the three workers did not commit anything serious - to dismiss them - without cause.

The Laborers Union 261 failed miserably - today the Unions seem to have lost the legacy put in place by most Unions in Francisco - reminiscent of Bloody Thursday - San Francisco is known as a Union City.

In this case, both SFPUC and Laborer Union 261 did wrong, and all because the three workers were of color.

The three workers have written chronologically what exactly happened, and we are ready to take this case to the next level.

We also have over 1,000 people ready to protest.

We are asking for an audit and have contacted those incharge of the 

The "Confined Space " project is to give us a report and has used the Freedom of Information Act.

The main person, Alfajora Alexeh, is out from 11/17/25 to 12/2/25 - he is in charge of projects that come under " Confined Space ".

Two managers under Alfrjora Alexeh have vacant FTEs.

These leaves Steve Richie, William Taehan, and Frank Jordon inchare - one worse than the other.

The City and County of San Francisco - the Mayor of San Francisco - the SF Controller, the incoming SF Inspector General, who can indict and will be in the position to investigate - January, 2026 - must investigate the SFPUC General Manager - the SF City Attorney - Steve Richie, William Taehan, and of course Frank Jordon.

The above retaliation occurred because Joe King brought to their attention the lack of standards and not following the written policies - put the workers in harm's way with intent - and treating the three workers - Joe King, his son Conrad, and Adolfo Padilla with utter disdain.

Wake up, San Francisco - I have been monitoring the corruption for over forty years - and as I said, today it has reached the saturation point. 

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

Francisco Da Costa

THE CORRUPTION HERE IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS REACHED SATURATION POINT - OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS A JOKE - CABALS RULE AND MUCH LIKE THUGS - WHO ACT AS THEY PLEASE.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir land and water were stolen from the Indigenous.

It is a crying shame to state openly that San Francisco is saturated with corruption of the highest order.

Our SF City Departments are confused and confounded - call them and no one answers - visit the Departments, and there's no one to resolve a problem.

There was a time when there was some semblance no more. 

Upper management is on leave - they come to work after staying out on leave - only to find some accuse - taking an extended leave - what the hell is happening?

Every commission has these attorneys - they listen and do nothing at all. 

Seldom will one witness a City Attorney stepping in to clear something blatantly wrong. 

One of the worst Departments is the San Francisco Public Utilities situated at 525 Golden Gate Avenue - the headquarters - the Cabal - wheeling and dealing.

The Sewer System Improvement Project - defies all norms - the project started with $6 billion - the rascals have wasted millions - with all sorts of ploys, machinations, and shaneginans - now, reaching $15 billion - yes, fifteen billion.

Heading towards $25 billion - there are NO checks and balances and all sorts of wheeling and dealing taking place at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - stealing copper wire, thieves ordering spare parts and selling them, managers play golf - during working hours - wheeling and dealing, selling water in the Sunol area.

Engineers failing to find a service at Calavares Dam - failing to drill and test the area - then facing a problem - removing over one million tons of dirt.

For sure, someone was found to take the dirt to an area where one had to pay thousands of dollars - the truckers and others making hay while the sun shines.

Not everything is going well at Calvares and the Mountain Tunnel - the Irvington Tunnel - spending millions of dollars, and dealing with situations of utter failure.

The SFPUC embarked on some sordid  Water Recycling Operation - by the City Zoo - the operations are stalled - millions wasted - and all the General Manager and his stooges do - is play golf and laugh all the way to the bank - most making over $400,000 at the higher end - one making $500,000 per year.

Some decided to contract to run a line to increase the service of the electricity, only to dig conductors and lay lines - inundated with water - the contractor was mandated to inform Pacific Gas and Electric - he did not - pulled the lever to charge the system - and end in a Blackout - an entire area, the Bayview Hunters Point and beyond. 

Our reservoirs and cisterns are not serviced - the so-called Hetch Hetchy clean drinking water, in recent times, has been contaminated with water tapped from the watershed.

The SFPUC has been informed of some stench in the water, but to no avail. We are dealing with folks who do not care about service - managers treating the SFPUC workers with disdain. 

This nonsense must STOP.

The SFPUC manager who manages our clean drinking water is busy selling millions of gallons of water to computer and other companies, raking in the money. 

While all the time asking us in San Francisco to conserve water, and folks like Steve Riche lie and project presentations that defy empirical data.

Peter Drekmeier and I - Francisco Da Costa are fed up - speaking truth to power - while Steve Richie thinks he can do as he pleases - failing to do his job - and now puts SFPUC workers in harm's way.

Failing to comprehend " Confined Space " projects - and Standard Operating Procedures - putting hardworking SFPUC workers  - in harm's way - others involved William Taehan and Frank Jordon - one watching Porn during work hours - the other ganging on a person on the street - taking the sandwich from him - and beating the innocent gay person. 

SFPUC chose to give Frank Jordon a job - imagine the utter nonsense prevailing at the Water Department, headed by Steve Richie.

SFPUC is put on notice to do the right thing.

Today, SFPUC has triggered the IRE of the people - the people united will not be defeated.

If you find the kitchen too hot,  SFPUC - step back and fade into oblivion.

The SFPUC, for all practical purposes, is a CABAL.

Francisco Da Costa

THE SFPU COMMISSION HAS WITH INTENT FABRICATED STORIES AGAINST THREE SFPUC WORKERS - AND WITH INTENT PUT THEM IN HARM'S WAY. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY.

 

Dennis Herrera - General Manager of the corrupt SFPUC.

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

As an advocate and the Director of Environmental Justice Advocacy, I come across all sorts of issues.

Climate change, environmental justice issues, and most of all human rights - at all levels - in this case that of Joe King, his son Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla.

In each case, these three hardworking and decent SFPUC workers were treated with disdain and ganged upon. 

Something the SFPUC does again and again - bringing down the workers targeted - and often accusing the workers of violence, and other fabricated, sordid lies.

In 1996, the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) allowed the Mayor, Willie L. Brown, to amend the CCSF Charter, appointing his lackeys, including the SFPUC.

525 Golden Gate - the headquarters of SFPUC - was spearheaded by Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr - he placed all his minions and cronies in that sordid building - today it smells of sulfur.

The Mayor also made several changes to the SF Civil Service, forcing the workers who were terminated to use only Union lawyers, and other ploys, machinations, and shenanigans. 

The Union today, by far, stays away from litigation, and the result is that most workers are terminated and suffer.

In this case, there was no need to terminate Joe King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla, all hardworking workers.

Each of them was commended - Joe King five times and Adolfo Padilla, among other commendations, chosen as employee of the year.

The SFPUC's modus operandi hurts workers through all sorts of lies and taunts, making things difficult.

In short, atrocities and bullying - the managers themselves, each known for breaking the laws, poorly trained, given positions, having no experience, nepotism, all of which allows them to act like fools.

Why would anyone suddenly want to harm Joe King after eight years, having a clean record, and being made to suffer because he brought to the attention of his poorly trained managers serious SAFETY issues?

Adolfo Padilla worked under Joe King, and both were targeted because both of them could do a needs assessment - and bring the lack of SAFETY issues in the workplace - to the fore - and before the SFPUC - managers who failed to do the right thing - putting the worker in harm's way - with intent.

"Confined Space " projects require managers to understand the difficulties of the situation and identify best practices. 

Protect the workers from chemicals that can kill the workers - when they are in a confined area - most tunnels, reservoirs, other such locations that bring about all sorts of harmful actions - mandate that the workers are protected - SAFETY FIRST.

Hydrogen sulphide is a colorless gas; other chemicals in the reservoirs require workers to be equipped with special outfits, breathing apparatus, monitoring equipment, and oxygen pumps, and to address other adverse issues. Many emergency situations arise quickly, and one must be prepared to address them.

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

The current SFPU Commissioners have no clue about anything much, are totally ignorant of the situation at hand, and yet they sit on the SFPU Commission.

The Commissioner does not interact with the workers and has no clue about hundreds of hardworking SFPUC employees who have been adversely harmed, and many have been terminated for no cause.

The SFPU Commissioners are mandated to care for and interact with the workers - far from that, when matters are brought to their attention, they look the other way - they act like a CABAL.

The mothers, the women related to the workers - friends all came to speak, and each told from the heart - they spoke truth to power.

Joe King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla did nothing wrong.

This case is clear-cut - when Joe King and Adolfo Padilla spoke about the Safety issues.

All sorts of other issues were fabricated - all of which can be addressed - because I have read and studied the empirical data.

I am familiar with workers who work in confined places and have helped them before. 

Most managers, well-trained and certified, have no problems addressing the plight of the workers more in " Confined Spaces" - one cannot say that of the SFPUC and one Steve Richie.

Steve Richie, the manager who went to the General Manager to snitch about Joe King and Adolfo Padilla, has to be removed from the manager position - and demoted. 

Steve Richie lies, and the presentations given on behalf of the General Manager, Dennis Herrera, are fake. 

Steve Richie never listens to those who speak up during Public Comment at the SFPU Commission meetings.

Steve Richie's good friend and poorly qualified manager of sorts, William Taehan, who is also Steve Richie's golf partner, was caught some years ago watching PORN at work.

William Taehan - should have been terminated - on the contrary, the idiot - is messing with hardworking workers - who do their work and do it well.

William Taehan, who is about to retire, should be terminated and denied his pension. 

He has ruined the lives of many decent workers with his taunts and evil actions.

There is this woman, Joy Chen, from the SFPUC - Human Resources - Labor Relations Analyst, who gathered the work and brainwashed them, fabricating fake situations, and she should not be working anymore.

Frank Jordon and Anthony Travis should be ashamed of themselves - they joined some managers who discriminate and have a track record of disdain for people of color. Both should know better, but have made a fool of themselves.

Theresa Fogolia should have helped Joe King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla - this did not happen. Today, our Union Representatives prefer to look after their own selfish interests.

Our Union Representatives have gone to the hogs. 

For over 40 years, I have backed the Unions - today, most of the Union Representatives are sellouts. 

Joshua Arce is connected to the Union 261; he knows it well -what is right and what is wrong - he keeps kicking the can down the street.

Today, Joshua, as Chairman of the SFPUC, could have resolved this case involving Joe King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla. Joshua Arce has chosen to kick the can down the street.

Dennis Herrera was taken to court, and the Whistle Blower, another attorney who worked under Dennis Herrera when he was the City Attorney, the Whistle Blower won his case - Dennis Herrera lost - and has not learned anything much - your days are numbered.

Gone are the days when Attorneys could come to the rescue of workers - I have 45 years as an advocate, and I see the writing on the wall. God sees it all.

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51114?view_id=22&meta_id=1191647&redirect=true

Francisco Da Costa

 

THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HAS FAILED THOSE THAT WORK AT THE SFPUC - FIRING WORKERS WITHOUT DUE PROCESS AND TRUMPED UP CHARGES.

 

The Hetch Hetchy reservoir, which provides our drinking water.

Check this video - Agenda # 4 - Public Comment:

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51038?view_id=22&redirect=true

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has failed those who work for them, with the intent of putting many in harm's way, treating workers of color with utter disdain.

Recently, we had three workers, Joe King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla, for no reason other than to bring serious SAFETY issues to the attention of SFPUC managers.

Let me give you an example so you, who are reading this article, can understand the situation at hand.

These workers, who are laborers and come under the UNION 261, were sent with the intent to harm.

Union 261 is refusing to stand beside the three SFPUC workers - SFPUC manager cozy with Union 261; case in point: Thresa, a Union representative, saying, "It is better not to hear anything about your case" to Adolfo Padilla.

The project was slated to clean the reservoir - the certification needed to do this work - mandatory applies and required the managers and authority permission to authorize the work.

More - becuase of all the hazards that surround the work.

The manager does not follow the Standard Operating Procedures or the many policies linked to "Confined Space " projects.

Google and find out the requirements to do such work.

"Confined Space" projects are not meant for those who do not pass certification - to do the work - the managers are busy playing golf and hoodwinking the workers in broad daylight - earning as much as $450,000.

Confined Space work is dangerous - more from exposure to chemicals - one of them being hydrogen sulphide - and if you have respiratory problems, also, as I mentioned, without training and valid certification, what goes on is intent to put workers in harm's way.

The confined space, as in a reservoir, can be as ample as two football fields, often with poor lighting.

Also, prone to situations, difficult to breathe, coupled with the possibility of " hydrogen sulphite," a colorless chemical that can seriously harm the workers and, on many occasions, bring the death of a worker.

Imagine sending the workers into a reservoir - without proper clothing, equipment, breathing apparatus, monitoring equipment, no oxygen provided to help the workers breathe, a series of other mandated requirements that the SFPUC does not have in place, and does not follow Standard Operating Procedures.

SFPUC engineers, health and safety managers, and others have brought complaints, but the managers have failed to address them promptly.

Steve Richie has a habit of giving us presentations and not paying attention to public comments, while treating the SFPUC workers under him with disdain.

Check this out: Public Comment #4

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51038?view_id=22&redirect=true

My investigation, going back 40 years, over 400 articles, linked to the many sordid issues linked with SFPUC, wasting millions of dollars.

The Sewer System Improvement Project started with $8 billion and has now reached $15 billion, with plans to reach $25 billion. Only in corrupt San Francisco is such nonsense and utter corruption tolerated - wake up, San Francisco.

It does not bother the SFPUC managers - they hear but do not listen - they do not give a rat's ass. They keep wasting taxpayers' money - the time has come to audit those heading the Clean Water Department and the Water System Improvement Projects.

Paradoxically, Steve Richie, who is the key manager, keeps giving us presentations about Hetch Hetchy reservoir and other reservoirs - reservoirs that should be maintained, cleaned - this does not happen - deferred maintenance is the name of the game.

Also, hundreds of cisterns or wells have had no repairs done - most are not operational - most of the reservoirs and cisterns are not taken care of - Steve Richie prefers deferred maintenance.

It is time for Steve Richie to step down, and his buddy William Taehan to,- who some years ago was written up for watching Porn at work,- and is still working,- and should be fired. He is a troublemaker and instrumental in firing Joe King, his son Conrad King, and Adolfo Padilla.

We want to know why mug shots were posted of Joe King and Adolfo Padilla - while still at work - humiliating both Joe and Adolfo and causing both severe trauma and hospitalization.

Adolfo Padilla took his son to the doctor, as his son needed emergency help. The nurse told Adolfo Padilla that his health benefits had been cancelled by SFPUC - Human Relations. 

Adolfo Padilla had paid his premium, and the cancellation was totally uncalled for - and the General Manager should look into this situation.

Lucky for Adolf,o Paddila came to his rescue and took care of Adolfo's little boy - why do we stoop so low to hit others below the belt?.

Joy Chen from Human Resources went out of her way to gather workers to say mean things and gang up on Joe King and Adolfo Padilla, who, in their right minds, behave like morons. 

Why should Joy Chen be working at SFPUC?

Again and again over the past few years, we have seen hundreds of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission workers fired without cause; this is simply wrong.

We have seen workers traumatized - no one helping them and allowing them to appeal, not even the Civil Service.

The Civil Service makes a point of using City and County of San Francisco attorneys to harass workers.

The workers fired -  made to fill our forms - answers questions that have nothing to do with the workers - kicking the can down the street.

I was forced to take the matter to the SFPU Commissioners - watch the video and see for yourself - the state of affairs - how the goons plan and gang up on innocent, hardworking SFPUC workers:

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51038?view_id=22&redirect=true