SF Gate reports that San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru and a local restaurateur were arrested and charged with public corruption by the FBI.
The criminal complaint charges them with wire fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to attempt to bribe a San Francisco Airport Commissioner, United States Attorney David Anderson announced at a press conference. The main scheme described by the FBI involves the attempted alleged bribery of an unnamed SFO commissioner in exchange for a restaurant contract at the airport. According to the complaint, Nuru and Bovis (the restauranteur also arrested) schemed to give the unnamed commissioner $5,000 and free travel so that she would vote to approve a contract for Bovis’ restaurant Spinnerie. The complaint records multiple conversations between Bovis and an undercover FBI employee who was posing as a friend of a lender. The criminal complaint against Nuru states the unnamed commissioner declined the money, and the contract was never awarded to Bovis.
By the way, Muhammed Nuru’s total pay and benefits in 2018 was $323,732.93. Sometimes a lot just isn't enough.