Beleaguered City Council Member Ken Bukowski Has Rent-Controlled
Apartment in San Francisco’s Tenderloin; Drug Use, Other Illicit Activity
Claimed by Close Relative
By Tracy Schroth
The niece of Emeryville City Council Member Ken Bukowski said he lives in a rent-controlled, $300-a-month apartment in the Tenderloin, an apartment he has had for at least 20 years.
“The first time I went there was in 1990 and I know he had it for a quite a while before then,” said Bukowski’s niece, Kim Bukowski, who on Friday took The Secret News to the apartment building at 798 Post Street. A search of resident names listed in the call box included Ken Bukowski’s (see photo).
Kim Bukowski said the house and small apartment complex her uncle owns at 5880 Doyle Street in Emeryville is a rental property. She said he has an apartment in the back where he stays when he has City Council or other business in Emeryville. Kim said she and her 12-year-old son, Joseph, lived in one of the apartments on the Doyle Street property until three months ago, when Bukowski threw them out after she confronted him about his drug use. She said her uncle is a long-time methamphetamine user who has squandered his health, his relationships, and thousands of dollars to support his habit. Kim and her son are now staying in a shelter in Oakland. Her brother, Michael Bukowski, and another son, David, 20, are living in a shed in the back of the complex. The unit had previously been deemed illegal by city code enforcement and shut down, but was quickly reinhabited, she said.
Kim, who paid her uncle $400 a month, lived in several different rooms or apartments on the property over the past year, when she moved here from Florida. Her son, Joseph is a 7th-grader at Emery High. She said his grades have plummeted this fall, due to all the upheaval.
Drugs and Loans
Kim claims Bukowski is a long-time user of a variety of drugs, but principally uses methamphetamine. She said when she first arrived at Bukowski’s apartment a year ago, she was horrified to find it littered with needles.
“They were everywhere, lying around like coffee cups,” she said.
She said Bukowski is struggling to support his habit and make ends meet, resorting to an assortment of shady deals. She said Emeryville developer Francis Collins has loaned Bukowski thousands of dollars that will never be repaid. Her uncle is nearly destitute and his Doyle Street property was recently in forclosure, she said.
Bukowski entered into a consulting contract with Paxio, Inc., an Internet service provider that also has a contract with the city to supply services, and failed to disclose that consulting agreement to his fellow City Council members. He participated and influenced decisions of the City Council regarding Paxio while on Paxio’s payroll.
A Year of Trouble
In the past year, Bukowski has found himself embroiled in one scandal after another:
- He was recently fined $15,500 by the Fair Political Practices Commission for using campaign money for personal use and other violations, including failing to file campaign finance reports.
- In June, the city agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle a wrongful death suit filed by the widow of Michael Smela, 56, who was struck and killed by Bukowski in 2007, as Bukowski drove away from an Emeryville community meeting in his SUV. Smela, a former San Franciso police officer, was on duty as a security guard for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. and was crossing Hollis Street when the accident occurred. Bukowski was not tested for drugs or alcohol, and was not charged with a crime.
- Last March, the Emeryville City Council voted 3-2 to censure Bukowski for his multitude of ethical breaches. In addition to those cited above, the Council resolution admonished him for failing to pay his business tax on his Doyle Street property, disclosing to the public confidential closed-session items discussed by the City Council, and soliciting and obtaining personal loans from individuals that exceed limits and terms set by the Political Reform Act and not repaying at least one of those loans. It was disclosed at a public meeting that Bukowski received a loan from Emeryville developer Francis Collins, although the amount was not discussed.
(Photos, clockwise from top left: Front of San Francisco apartment building; the callbox at 798 Post St. with Ken Bukowski’s name listed; close-up of listing; Kim Bukowski, niece of Ken Bukowski, with sons, David (left) and Joseph. Click photos to enlarge).
This is like that politician Ed Jew from San Francisco last year. He was caught not living in his district. He's in prison now.
Once again thank you for another breaking story! If only the Em' Connection would use their "skills" to seek out truth and justice, instead of blatantly manipulate information to suit the business' of choice. I have been concerned about Bukowski continuing to serve on the council for several years. His inability to have boundaries of any kind have been demonstrated at several meetings and in his behaviors with citizens. His health, both mentally and physically, is a concern for many citizens who pay attention to what is happening at the city council level. He certainly displays behaviors often associated with addictions, and physically looks as though he has a drug problem. Isn't there a mechanism in our city to support and counsel-out those that are too sick or too frail to continue with the job at hand? But, what concerns me most is why has it taken so long to discover that Bukowski does not live here? Isn't that part of the city's job to verify where an applicant for the city council lives?
Many people have known for years about Bukowski; his San Francisco residence and his drug problems. Up til now, he's been the teflon Council member.
To qualify for a rent controlled apartment in San Francisco, it is required that be your primary residence. Also, to serve on the Emeryville City Council, it is required that you live in Emeryville as your primary residence. I don't see how Bukowski can slither out of this one. We may finally be rid of Ken Bukowski, the choice of the Chamber of Commerce, Nora Davis, Ruth Atkin and Dick Kassis.
If current School Board member and candidate for City Council Kurt Brinkman uses his Adeline business as his place of residence, why is he moving to 62nd Street where he owns a home and which was recently photographed in one of his campaign mailers? The house has been undergoing renovations and has been vacant for several months.
I'm very much torn on how I feel about this story. On one hand, the information is valuable to have. However, we need to be very careful these days about where we receive our news. This blog (and many blogs for that matter) is not a legitimate source of unbiased information and is not held to the same ethical standards as mainstream news outlets. While I appreciate this blog's desire to give us the information, the main source used–Ken Bukowski's niece–has probably has motives other than making information available to the public. Mainstream news sources would corroborate allegations of drug use before printing such a thing. This blog does not have the resources to do so and is not held to that ethical standard. I do not believe that portion of the story should be printed without corroboration.
This is what we have come to: with slashed budgets at most mainstream news outlets, local news suffers. We are forced to turn to outlets such as this blog, which provide us information that may not be unbiased and which are not held to the same ethical standards. It is unfortunate that we have come to this position, but that being said: Secret Blog, thanks for reporting the story (not all aspects of it, though), even if I disagree with your methods.
PS- A point of clarification: Although Ed Jew's legal problems did include allegations of not living in his district, he pleaded guilty to mail fraud, extortion and perjury. Those are the charges for which he is currently serving time. The civil suit and Ethics Commission proceedings regarding his residency in his district were dropped.
This has got to be the final straw! May we now finally be spared anymore Council member Ken Bukowski? I hope the Alameda and SF District Atorney's offices investigate this.
Twenty years! Unbelievable!
Can he be removed from office for this? If he used fraud in his quest to assume the position of council member, I would think he could simply be removed from office by disqualification.
You need to expand this story: What does his SF landlord say? Will the DA pick this up? What does the City Attorny say? What choices does Bukowski face? What choices do the residents have?
Thank you for finally exposing what Emeryville residents have know for years! If only this had been exposed two years ago.
I disagree with the 2:16 writer. The story about where Bukowski lives checked out and therefore it is prudent to print the drugs charge. This is an elected public figure; the public's right to know is placed at a higher value than if he were a regular citizen.
The 2:16 writer's desire that only the "mainstream media" be trusted to deliver news discredits the very idea of an independent press. News Blogs represent a very important bright spot in a collapsing 'fifth estate'. Even during media's heyday, Emeryille's podunk scale would have made it likely the mainstream press ignore a story like this unless it was handed to them on a platter. Remember the years of the LaCoste corruption in the 60's and 70's in Emeryville? Where was the press then? They only began reporting after the DA picked up the case and then after years of abuse at the public's expense. Regarding the drugs allegation, the public can make up it's own mind about its believability without the mainstream filter.
Having said all this, the 2:16 writer should remember Woodward and Bernstein of Watergate fame (Washington, not Emeryville). Their story started with only the vaguest and most outlandish allegations from anonymous sources even, a lower bar than what's been presented by the Secret News. The public's right to know about the actions of their government back then, trumped the right of privacy of government public officials. And that was the 'mainstream media'.
The Secret News has given the public an important check on government abuse. There needs to be an accounting. I say here. here Secret News! Good job! Let's see how this story unfolds.
This is outrageous! Isn't Frank Flores endorsed by Ken? What does he have to say about this? Is that what we can expect from Flores?
"I've seen the needle and the damage done….cause every junkie's like a setting sun."
Chris Cavenaugh, Berkeley elected official (school board, I think), was also caught not living in Berkeley. This was a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if he had to face jail or not. Regardless, the DA does not look kindly on this kind of fraud. Good luck, Ken….you're going to need it.
Sounds like some nasty family politics here… I'd hate to be Kim right now.
I don't care about the drug use, since there's probably no way to prove that unless he gets arrested. The rent controlled apartment in SF is another matter entirely. This IS provable and subjects him to disqualification as the other commenter stated. I hope the people's interests are going to be looked after with this. This councilman needs to be replaced ASAP. I hope this is not simply forgotten.
These are the candidates for elected office in Emeryville that HAVE accepted Ken Bukowski's endorsement:
-Frank Flores (proudly acccepted)
-Kurt Brinkman
-Joshua Simon
-Miguel Dwin
These are the candidates that have NOT accepted Ken Bukowski's endorsement:
-Jennifer West
-Cheryl Webb
-Brian Donahue
-Darice Bridges
Brian Donahue and Jennifer West have NOT listed East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy as an endorsement even though both are throughly supported by EBASE.
To the Oct 26, 4:19 commenter-
EBASE is a 501c3 non-profit organization and not permitted to engage in political endorsements of any kind, so you are INCORRECT. EBASE has not endorsed me or anyone for that matter, even Frank Flores has not been endorsed by them.
I would have hoped we could have had a higher level of comment here rather than this sort of uniformed bombast. People are free to disagree, but let's at least trade in fact based banter. The old saw applies: You are entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own facts.
Brian Donahue
As an addendum to my previous comment:
To the 4:19 commenter-
EBASE is not allowed to politically "support" any candidate for elective office. I encourage you to provide your evidence to the DA's office for prosecution since this would constitute a crime. I can assure you the Secret News will report any finding of improper activity by EBASE.
Think Emeryville Connection will pick this up?
Hey Ken, don't leave the hat on the bed!
If he manages to hang on inspite of this, there's no way he can get re-elected for an eighth time in two years. This would be the silver lining.
The Chamber of Commerce needs to get the message; just because your favored council member is a reliable YES vote for developers, doesn't mean you can ignore everything else. The Emeryville Chamber of Commerce is reckless in its single-minded pursuit of granting developers their every wish. The residents concerns should be considered, if for no other reason that the Chamber has a need to appear reasonable.
Can you guys do a follow up? I want to find out more. Ken is going to say the San Francisco apartment is not his main residence. Can you prove he is wrong? Tell the Chronicle about this. Somehow, I think the Emeryville Connection isn't going to touch this with a ten foot pole.
"Think Emeryville Connection will pick this up?" Yeah right!! They're going to get right on it!
I just read about this in the Chronicle. Way to scoop 'em Secret News! This blog is turning into a real competitive news source. A blooming Emeryville business. Maybe you guys should join the Chamber of Commerce!
This is front page Oakland Tribune. They seem more concerned about the shady finances Bukowski has engaged in than the rent controlled SF apartment. Me? I'm concerned about it all! Bukowski needs to be taken to the wood pile…and soon. I don't want to hear another thing about him…well actually I kinda do. So long as it leads to his demise.
Secret News, please don't drop this story! Keep his feet to the fire. The rest of the Council that supports him will want to see this fade away, let's not let that happen. Keep up the great work. You are really helping the people know what time it is.
The definition of Resident One who resides in a particular place permanently or for an extended period, as: Ken Bukowski is. I see him daily, as in every day. At different times and I'm sure many of the residents of Emeryville have. This entire allegation is nonsense. The fact that family members with grudges and enemies of Mr. Bukowski would attempt to deprecate him in front of the Council shows the character of those individuals. What is the real purpose of bringing this before the Council??? What do these people have to gain or loose? There must be something in it for them to try and cause harm to Mr. Bukowski.
There is this lingering question of the particular messanger here though… Kim his niece. She seems to be a very ungrateful mean spirited person to blast on her uncle like this. It's no wonder he made her leave his house in the first place. Family is supposed to have your back not stab you in it!
Well, he may be able to claim that of the two residences he maintains, it's the Emeryille one that serves as his primary residence…Except then he's in trouble with the San Francisco Housing Authority since to qualify for rent control, the apartment in question must be the subject's primary residence.
It would seem 'Mr Bukowski' has been gaming the system, all backstabbing allegations aside. It matters not, charges one way or another, his familial dsturbances.
Get the feeling the October 29th writer is Ken Bukowski himself? Ken, you're busted!
To the Oct 29 commenter-
You ask what Ken's neice has to gain by testifying against him. It's pretty obvious; the article says he threw her out of her apartment. If you watch the video of the council meeting where she spoke about it, you'll hear her say she is concerned for her "Uncle Kenny'. She said she thinks he's going to die from all the drugs. Both or either of those points seem to be things that would draw someone to testify against their uncle. You state the charges are "nonsence", if that were true, then why do YOU think she was willing to publicly testify against her uncle?