A former San Francisco Chief Assistant Treasurer allegedly steered contracts towards a friend’s company to the tune of several million dollars, according to a joint audit by the San Francisco Office of the Controller and City Attorney published Tuesday.
According to the city, Tajel Shah “abused her position” to help technology firm Mechanical Orchard win a $7 million
The report alleges Shah accepted Mechanical Orchard’s bid for a new business tax system despite their not meeting minimum qualifications. She also allegedly changed scoring formulas in Mechanical Orchard’s favor, added costs to other vendors’ proposals to improve Mechanical Orchard’s rankings and paid the firm for a previous discovery project through a backdoor subcontract. Shah’s close friend, Roque Versace, was chief revenue officer of Mechanical Orchard at the time.
According to the report, the organizational structure at the treasurer’s office during Shah’s tenure — in which she oversaw human resources — discouraged colleagues from reporting concerns about her behavior.
Mechanical Orchard withdrew from contracts negotiations on Sept. 24, 2025, one day before a news outlet published an investigation into Shah’s actions. Shah was released from her position in November 2025. Her successor, Amanda Fried, was appointed in January.
“Ms. Shah has done absolutely nothing wrong,” wrote Shah’s legal representative, Fred Norton, in correspondence with the City Attorney and Office of the Controller.
According to Norton, Shah had no obligation to report her friendship with Versace.
“At no time did she try to influence the process in favor of other bidders,” Norton wrote.
Shah could not be reached for comment.
