Juliet Ellis is second SFPUC official to exit — also under federal scrutiny - San Francisco Chronicle

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Although it lacks the fireworks of her boss Harlan Kelly’s departure, a second San Francisco Public Utilities Commission official who has come under FBI scrutiny, Juliet Ellis, assistant general manager for external affairs, has announced her exit from the agency as well.

“Her last day at SFPUC is Jan. 4. She’s transitioning to a role in the private sector,” SFPUC spokesman Tyler Gamble said in an email.

Ellis has been associated with the agency for 12 years, first as a commissioner and then as assistant general manager for external affairs.

As part of the their investigation, federal officials obtained Kelly and Ellis’ personnel files in July, along with complete records related to any trips the pair took, including expense reports and reimbursement records, back to 2005. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also ordered the agency to produce any commission audits from 2010 to the present related to trips taken by Kelly and Ellis.

Ellis was not named in the Kelly criminal complaint nor was she connected with the charges announced Monday.

“The SFPUC provided the requested documents over the summer. There has been no additional follow-up on it,” Gamble said

Gamble said Ellis’ departure was in the works before the investigators came knocking.

“Juliet began preparing to transition at the start of the year,” Gamble said. “Once the pandemic hit, she agreed to stay on to support our response and recovery.”

In a statement, Public Utility Commission President Sophie Maxwell said Ellis brought a “much-needed infusion of innovation and compassion to San Francisco city government and to the utility industry.”

Ellis did not return a request for comment.

Ellis came under scrutiny in 2012, shortly after taking the SFPUC job for an alleged ethics violation after she helped steer a $200,000, no-bid contract to contract to Green for All, an Oakland nonprofit where she served as a paid board member.

Green for All was founded by Van Jones, the author and frequent CNN commentator, to promote environmentally friendly jobs for disadvantaged minorities.

At the time, Kelly defended Ellis and said that while an internal investigation “confirmed that there were violations” of reporting requirements and “a possible violation” of state conflict-of-interest laws, Ellis’ “critical” expertise overrode her alleged conflict of interest in awarding the city contract.

The contract was scuttled, but Ellis stayed on as a top deputy at the SFPUC.

Kelly resigned as the agency’s general manage, Monday, after being charged by the U.S. attorney for allegedly accepting international trips, free meals and jewelry from contractor Walter Wong in exchange for insider information on a city lightening contract.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier

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Juliet Ellis is second SFPUC official to exit — also under federal scrutiny - San Francisco Chronicle
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