San Francisco Public Works Director Arrested By FBI, Charged

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco's Director of Public Works, Mohammed Colin Nuru, has been arrested on federal corruption charges, the US Attorney's Office announced Tuesday. Also arrested in the scheme involving Nuru is restauranteur Nick James Bovis, the owner of Lefty O'Doul's and Gold Dust Lounge.

The pair were arrested on Monday and made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on Tuesday. They were arraigned, and each was released after posting $2 million bond.

The pair are accused of trying to bribe a San Francisco Airport Commissioner with cash and free travel in exchange for the commissioner’s help to win a bid for the right to run a restaurant at SFO.

“The complaint describes a web of corruption involving bribery, kickbacks, and side deals by one of San Francisco’s highest-ranking city employees,” said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson. “The public is entitled to honest work from public officials, free from manipulation for the official’s own personal benefit and profit.”

“Government employees are entrusted and expected to protect the best interests of the American public with integrity. When that trust is betrayed, the security and stability of our government is put at risk,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. “The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable any public official who utilizes their position for personal gain.”

Bovis did not win the bid for a restaurant at the airport.

• Nuru using his official position to benefit a billionaire in China who was developing a large multimillion dollar mixed-use project in San Francisco, in exchange for travel and lodging, high-end liquor, and other gifts and benefits
• Nuru attempting to use his position as the chair of the TJPA to secure a desirable lease for Bovis in the Transbay Transit Center, in exchange for benefits provided by Bovis
• Nuru providing Bovis with inside information on city projects regarding portable bathroom trailers and small container-like housing units for use by the homeless, so that Bovis could win contracts for those projects
• Nuru obtaining free and discounted labor and construction equipment from contractors to help him build a personal vacation home in Colusa County, California, while those contractors were also engaging in business with the City

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison plus fines, penalties, and supervised release following prison.

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