A former employee with the embattled San Francisco Department of Building Inspection is facing three conflict of interest charges after investigations uncovered illegal activity.
Van Zeng was charged Jan. 2 for allegedly inspecting his own home, in addition to signing off on properties owned by his mother and construction projects managed by his father’s company.
City officials said they’re determined to uncover any wrongdoing.
“San Franciscans should expect our public employees to act with integrity and not engage in self-serving behavior,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a Jan. 2 press release. “My office is committed to rooting out employees who violate ethics laws and hold them accountable.”
Mr. Zeng was hired in March 2020, with allegations of improper behavior beginning soon after, according to charging documents.
He now faces up to a year in county jail for violating laws prohibiting employees from making decisions on matters in which they have a financial interest.
Prosecutors brought charges in several cases involving the inspection department in recent years following the May 2021 arrests of former Director Bernard Curran and Rodrigo Santos, president of the commission responsible for overseeing the department, for breaking anti-corruption laws.
The former director ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced in July 2023 to a one year and one day prison sentence for accepting bribes.
Mr. Santos received a 30-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to peddling influence, failing to disclose income, and defrauding clients.
While Mr. Zeng’s charges are the most recent, prosecutors hinted late last year that more cases could be filed soon.
The district attorney’s Public Integrity Task Force is prosecuting the case, and investigators are seeking any additional details related to the matter.
Anyone with information can report tips anonymously to the Public Integrity Tip Line at 628-652-4444.
