We filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the complete report by Robert S. Mueller III hours after Attorney General William Barr released a four-page summary of the special counsel’s investigation into President Trump and his 2016 campaign. Here’s the official reply — and the 448-page redacted report, which was released April 18.
Category: Law & Justice
Posted inHousing, Law & Justice, Renters vs. Veritas
Sued by Tenants, Veritas Says it Maintains ‘High Standards’
I n reporting on the tenant lawsuit against Veritas Investments Inc., the Public Press engaged company spokesman Ron Heckmann at length. Here are excerpts of some of our questions and his responses.
Posted inHousing, Land use, Law & Justice, Renters vs. Veritas
Searching for Truth in Tenants’ Lawsuit Against S.F. Corporate Landlord
More than 100 tenants in 39 rent-controlled apartment buildings have sued the owner, Veritas Investment Inc., for behavior they allege is designed to push them out in favor of new, higher-paying residents. The $3 billion company denies the charges, alleging the lawsuit is a money grab.
Posted inBay Area, Government & Politics, Immigration, Law & Justice, News, Public Safety
Why Privacy Needs All of Us
One American city has gone further than any other in creating a workable solution to the current inadequacy of surveillance law: Oakland, which has pushed a pro-privacy public policy along an unprecedented path. Its Privacy Advisory Commission acts as a meaningful check on city agencies — most often, police — that want to acquire any kind of surveillance technology.
Posted inElections, Fall 2018 Election, Health, Housing, Land use, Law & Justice, Renters vs. Veritas
S.F.’s Largest Landlord Sued Over Alleged Efforts to Push Out Tenants
Veritas Investments owns nearly 200 buildings in the city. It’s been a target for tenant advocates, who accuse the company of building a business model that relies on pushing tenants out of rent-controlled units so they can be re-rented for much more. Veritas disputes the accusations that is “hostile or negligent” toward tenants.
Posted inElections, Housing, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Voters OK’d Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction — Now Comes the Hard Part
Over the past year, with housing still expensive and scarce, more than 1,600 San Francisco tenants have received eviction notices. On June 5, city voters made history, guaranteeing legal help to anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. San Francisco has until July 2019 to set up multimillion-dollar program under Proposition F.
Posted inCommunity, Housing, Land use, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Hey, Can We Talk? Mediation Might Help Reduce Evictions
Amid San Francisco’s growing housing crisis, some now see mediation as an alternative to nasty, expensive court fights to keep tenants housed and property owners content. For more than 20 years, that approach has staved off evictions in the capital of Wisconsin.
Posted inCommunity, Housing, June 2018 Special Election, Law & Justice, Social Justice
Minority Challengers Wake Up Normally Sleepy Superior Court Races
Five men and women of color are challenging four incumbent judges on the state Superior Court in San Francisco. The insurgents — four of whom are public defenders — say the veteran jurists are vestiges of a legal system that punishes minorities disproportionately. The candidates faced off May 5 at a forum focused on African-American issues, and sparks flew. Second of two articles.
Posted inElections, Housing, June 2018 Special Election, Law & Justice
Proposition F: Free Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction
On June 5, city voters could make history by guaranteeing legal help to anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. If Proposition F passes, it would make San Francisco the first city to pass such a law through a voter-approved initiative, and boost the national “right to counsel” movement.
Posted inBay Area Smart Growth, City Hall, Climate Change, Economy & Business, Environment, Government & Politics, Housing, Law & Justice, News
California’s Push for Affordable Housing Could Weaken Environmental Law
The Legislature’s efforts to ease the housing-affordability crisis could chip away at longstanding protections in the state’s landmark environmental law. Two such bills were introduced by San Francisco lawmakers.