Building Manager Says Drug Paraphernalia
Seen in Bukowski’s Apartment
by Tracy Schroth
The manager of the San Francisco building where Emeryville City Council Member Ken Bukowski has had an apartment for the past 30 years said a petition has been filed with the city’s rent board to raise the rent to market rate. He did not specify an amount, but a neighbor of Bukowski’s with a similar unit said he pays $1,800.
Bukowski now pays $350 for the rent-controlled apartment, on the third floor of the building at 798 Post Street in Lower Nob Hill.
The Secret News previously reported that Bukowski had the apartment, a fact that was rumored for years but never officially confirmed or made public. When questioned about the apartment, Bukowski said he stays there “15 to 20 percent of the time.” This is despite San Francisco law that allows only full-time tenants to qualify for rent control.
“It was assumed that he was a full-time resident of the building, primarily because his initial signed lease indicated nothing to suggest he was going to use the apartment on a part-time basis,” said a formal statement issued by the apartment building’s resident manager, Steve West. Based on Bukowski’s recent admission, “a petition has been made to the Rent Board … requesting to raise his rent to current market rate as he is no longer a full-time tenant and thus not covered under rent control statutes,” the statement said.
Drug Paraphernelia and “Strange Smells”
West said in his statement that he is aware of the recent allegations of drug use by Bukowski.
“While I cannot confirm or deny those statements, several tenants have complained of constant comings and goings of non-residents of the building to Mr. Bukowski’s unit,” as well as “strange smells” coming from the apartment.
West went on: “An authorized entry was made into his unit and drug paraphernalia was observed. If he is indeed using or manufacturing drugs, my hope is that he is not doing it on this property, as any drug use could endanger the other residents of the building. The matter is one for the police to handle and I can only hope they are following up on these allegations, not only for Mr. Bukowski’s safety, but for those around him as well.”
In a recent interview with The Secret News, Bukowski denied allegations by his niece, Kim Bukowski, that he is a methamphetamine user, although he “tried it … a long time ago.” He did say, however, that he smokes marijuana.
When asked about his plans for the San Francisco apartment, he said he will probably pay the rent increase. He said he plans to get this money, and the money to repay more than $100,000 in loans, back business taxes, and fines for misusing campaign donations, by selling off part of his Emeryville property.
Go Tracy Schroth!
This is sad news, but we voters in Emeryville need to know this kind of thing. Thanks for digging deeper than the Oakland Tribune or the SF Chron care to.
Im very positive that Mr. Bukowski has very heavy drug activity going on in his SF apt. You should see the shady tenderloin street druggies that frequent his apt non stop while he is there. There has been on uncountable occasions of strong chemical smells(NOT MARIJUANA!!!!)leaking out into the hallways and elevator of the building specially when people go in and out of his unit. This has been going on not for a few weeks or months but for many f___ing years! The building will be a safer and cleaner place once he is out. anonymous concerned neighbor
This is really damning. If Councilman Bukowski claims to have his primary residence in Emeryville, as the law demands he must, then he has defrauded his San Francisco landlord and the Rent Board. Do we really want a Council member that's willing to commit fraud so flippantly as this? This man is a walking train wreak. He leaves debt and destruction wherever he goes.
For God's sake, why doesn't Ken Bukowski just move into his San Francisco apartment full time, avert the rent increase and we could finally be rid of this man here in Emeryville. Then he could have all the wild drug parties he wants and overdose for all I care. How many more scandals do we have to endure before he sees the writing on the wall and takes his leave? This man does not know the meaning of the word guile.
How can his colleagues on the Council put up with him? Why don't they tell him to step down?
I think it is time for the city attorney to consult with the state attorney. As an Emeryville resident who watches the city meetings, I am concerned that Bukowski has the power to vote. He has not been "stripped of power" until his vote is removed. The general plan fiasco is a good example. Bukowski said–calling out to a representative for a developer, words to this effect–how high do you want it? This comment culminated in changes to all of the heights on the general plan, and paved the way for a tall building over near Aquatic Park. How can residents trust that no deals were made when Bukowski is in such financial crisis? When will the authorities step in?
This man is a menace to society and needs to be removed from office and placed in an 8' by 8' cell. He has been getting away with this @#*! for over 20 years and keeps getting re-elected. Teflon Ken will not resign and it appears the Police have bigger fish to fry. The Citizens will have to take matters into their own hands and initiate a recall or he will finish out his term and cause further embarrassment to the City and Himself. There is plenty more dirt available to dig up if you ask the right people. He has been slithering around the trenches of society for a long time and has been very close to arrest on numerous occasions and yet, he seems to bob to the surface unscathed each and every time. I can't wait to see if he survives this latest onslaught and continues to serve on the Council as well as getting re-elected!
Go Secret News! You guys are responsible for the bringing to light all of Bukowski's reckless and illegal behavior. It makes me wonder why Frank Emery Flores refused an interview with you? Was he scared of something? Let's hear it for the birth of investigative journalism in Emeryville! May it long shine!
Great job guys, keep their feet to the fire.
I'm new to the secret news. Wow, I wish I had known about you guys earlier. We need a news source in town.
I don't see why we can't just have him removed. If the other council members won't do it, we should do it on our own.