San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon filed misdemeanor charges against two contributors to Mayor Ed Lee's 2011 mayoral campaign late Tuesday afternoon.
Passenger shuttle company Go Lorrie’s Travel and Tours is charged with making $11,500 in illegal contributions to Lee’s campaign by passing the money through its drivers and staff. Jason Perez, 40, of San Mateo, the company’s general manager, and Hanan Qutami, 56, of South San Francisco, the company’s chief financial officer are also charged as individuals.
According to a press release from the District Attorney's office:
Perez solicited GO Lorrie’s drivers, dispatchers, administrators and spouses to each write a $500 personal check to the Ed Lee for Mayor campaign, with the promise that they would be reimbursed. Perez and Qutami then had the 23 contributors, including Perez and his wife, reimbursed with GO Lorrie’s funds.
Companies can only donate $500 according to San Francisco campaign finance law.
The Chronicle reports that Perez and Qutami surrendered at the San Francisco County Jail and could be arranged as early as Wednesday.
Lee's mayoral rivals raised the issue last year in October prompting Lee's campaign to return the contributions.