A San Francisco city official is under fire after awarding a hefty $100,000 contract to a production company for a glam photoshoot and video project.
Kimberly Ellis, who heads the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, has sparked controversy over her use of public funds.
The money was spent on portraits of city staff and a series of conversations about gender equity.
Ellis’ critics are questioning whether such extravagant spending is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
Excessive Spending Comes Under Scrutiny
Ellis, who was placed on leave recently, used $80,000 in taxpayer funds for the photoshoots, which some claim is an excessive amount to spend on professional portraits of staff.
The $100,000 contract was awarded in September 2023 to a high-priced production company to create portraits of 21 people and record conversations surrounding gender equality.
Former staffers have described Ellis’ spending as inappropriate, especially given the department’s mission to promote equal representation for women in city politics.
One anonymous staffer expressed their frustration with the decision, saying, “I don’t think it’s a good use of public money to hire a professional photographer for headshots when it could easily have been done with a phone.”
Controversial Expenditures Raise Red Flags
Ellis’ spending habits have raised additional concerns.
Earlier in the year, it was revealed that she hired a life coach, who happened to be a friend, to lead expensive training sessions for her department.
These workshops cost $85,000 over two years and included an all-expenses-paid retreat at a luxury hotel near Lake Tahoe.
Two former employees described the retreat as indulgent, noting that the staff drank heavily and stayed at a resort-like hotel.
Critics argue that these spending decisions, combined with the $80,000 spent on portraits, reflect an irresponsible use of public funds.
Michael Canning, spokesperson for the San Francisco Ethics Commission, emphasized that while city officials can hire their friends for services, they are required to disclose those relationships to avoid conflicts of interest.
Political Ambitions and Allegations of Favoritism
Ellis has long been involved in California politics, often blending her city role with her political ambitions.
Before her current position, she ran for the chair of the California Democratic Party twice and headed Emerge California, an organization designed to train women leaders.
In 2022, Ellis directed $128,000 of city funds to a nonprofit run by a friend to produce video interviews of women leaders.
This same nonprofit later paid Ellis nearly $20,000 for consulting work.
These political ties have fueled further criticism, especially as Ellis has reportedly funneled more taxpayer dollars into political causes, such as a women’s summit that cost the city nearly $675,000.
Many see these actions as examples of favoritism and misuse of office for personal gain.
Ellis on Leave Amid Investigation
As a result of the growing backlash, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie placed Ellis on administrative leave.
The reason for her leave has not been publicly disclosed, but an investigation into her actions is now underway by the city attorney’s office.
Ellis, however, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations against her are part of a retaliatory effort.
She asserts that she is being targeted for reporting misconduct related to a foster care program and a young woman’s injury, though she has not provided further details.
San Francisco’s Struggles with Its Reputation
This controversy comes at a time when San Francisco is grappling with a range of issues, including its increasing homeless population, rising crime rates, and an economy that is struggling to recover.
In 2024, the city was ranked as one of the worst-run cities in America, partly due to a $1.4 billion budget deficit.
The negative headlines have piled up as the city continues to deal with its economic and social challenges.
San Francisco’s downtown, once a thriving cultural hub, now stands as a ghost town, with entire retail blocks empty and shuttered.
This decline in business has led to a significant drop in property tax revenue, further exacerbating the city’s budget deficit.
As the city faces these pressing issues, the controversy surrounding Ellis’ spending only adds to the mounting frustrations of residents and city officials alike.