Former San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru was sentenced Thursday to seven years in federal prison and a $35,000 fine after pleading guilty to accepting more than a half million dollars in bribes and kickbacks.
Prosecutors say over 12 years Nuru betrayed the public trust by accepting money, trips and other goods and services from city contractors and developers in return for steering city business their way.
Nuru’s long-running scheme of bribes and kickbacks ultimately earned him seven years in prison. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that public officials who abuse their power for personal gain will be punished. The FBI’s investigation into this case is not over. We will continue to unravel and disrupt corruption within the city of San Francisco.
-FBI San Francisco
Nuru, who was known as “Mr. Clean” when he held the city position, resigned in 2020 after the FBI accused him of public corruption. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December 2021.
Following the sentencing, he issued an apology:
“Again, I want to apologize to the people of San Francisco for my misconduct,” Nuru said in a statement. “Now that sentencing is behind me, I plan to concentrate on my family and my health in the near term. I look forward to the time that I can return to serving my community and work to repair the damage that my actions caused both the City and my family.”
The former head had faced 20 years in prison after admitting to an extensive list of instances in which he accepted money, trips, jewelry, wine and other goods and services from city contractors in exchange for favors and information about city business.
Nuru must surrender to federal authorities on January 6, 2023, to begin his sentence. His attorney asked for that time because Nuru has experienced recent health problems including a heart attack.
(Source: Justice.gov)
