San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission abused millions of dollars in public funds between 2020 and 2024, according to an audit by the city controller’s office and city attorney’s office Tuesday.
The report follows allegations of former HRC executive director Sheryl Davis misusing department funding. Davis resigned from the position following the allegations in 2024.
The Human Rights Commission works under the San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office in service of the city’s anti-discrimination laws.
The report concluded that the HRC spent $4.6 million on ineligible or likely ineligible payments, disregarding city purchasing rules and evading scrutiny from city oversight agencies. The department also made improper payments to personally benefit Davis, spending at least $75,000 on Davis’s personal branding and endeavors, the report found.
Davis did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.
“HRC’s violation and circumvention of laws, rules, and policies wasted city money and broke public trust,” the report said. “Strengthening the department’s ethical culture and improving departmental and citywide processes can help prevent future misuse of public funds.”
The HRC has reviewed the report and does not dispute the findings, according to a letter to the auditors from HRC acting executive director Mawuli Tugbenyoh.
Under new leadership, the HRC is working to implement all the corrective actions the report recommended, including segregating duties between staff and ensuring proper employee training, according to the letter.
“The Human Rights Commission holds no greater responsibility than to manage public dollars responsibly, transparently, and with integrity,” Tugbenyoh wrote. “I know that the current employees of the department are dedicated to full compliance with city rules and committed to fulfilling our mission of uplifting all of San Francisco’s communities, especially those who are the most marginalized.”