S.F. city audit finds disgraced Human Rights Commission head misused $4.6M

"A San Francisco city audit and investigation into former Human Rights Commission leader Sheryl Davis' spending released today found that Davis spent millions of taxpayer dollars on "prohibited purchases" in the last four years of her tenure, potentially violating state and local laws. Davis was the head of the Human Rights Commission until Sept. 12 last year when news broke detailing questionable - and excessive - spending by Davis on a trip to Martha's Vineyard"

"From July 2020 until Davis resigned, the city attorney and controller's office found that Davis spent over 70 percent of funds designated for "non contract payments" - payments that aren't determined through the city's contracting process - on galas, wellness retreats, airfare, hotel charges, and gift cards. Other extravagant purchases included 500 tickets to a San Francisco Giants game, tuition payments, full restaurant buyouts, and a house rental on Martha's Vineyard."

"Over the four years of Davis' tenure, the Human Rights Commissions' spending on noncontract payments - which are meant for "essential services" or one-time payments that "should be used sparingly," the audit states, dramatically increased by 600 percent from just $150,000 in 2020 to over $1 million in 2024, nearly doubling each year. This spending totaled approximately $4.6 million of the $6.3 million intended for such payments."

An audit and investigation found Sheryl Davis spent millions of taxpayer dollars on prohibited purchases during the final four years of her tenure as Human Rights Commission leader, potentially violating state and local laws. Davis resigned Sept. 12 after reports of questionable and excessive spending, including a Martha's Vineyard trip and a city contract linked to her housemate. From July 2020 until resignation, more than 70 percent of funds for noncontract payments were used for galas, retreats, airfare, hotels, gift cards, large event tickets, tuition, restaurant buyouts, and other extravagant purchases. Noncontract spending rose 600 percent to about $4.6 million of $6.3 million intended for such payments.

Read at Mission Local