City Attorney Dennis Herrera to take over as head of SFPUC

By Joshua Sabatini : sfexaminer – excerpt

After serving as City Attorney since 2001, Dennis Herrera is expected to step down to become the next head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Mayor London Breed announced Monday that she is nominating Herrera to serve as the next general manager of the SFPUC.

The news came as a surprise to many and has raised some concerns since it would allow Breed to appoint Herrera’s successor. Herrera’s office has been investigating public corruption at City Hall since shortly after the federal arrest of former Public Works head Mohammed Nuru became public in January last year.

Herrera would be stepping in to run the power and water agency after its former head, Harlan Kelly, resigned in November. Federal prosecutors have accused Kelly of accepting bribes from City Contractor Walter Wong in exchange for help with city business, as part of the unfolding investigation centered around Nuru…(more)

At least the SFPUC will have legal council and there will be fewer excuses for illegal actions and errors in judgement with an attorney running the commission.