The head of a San Francisco city grant program, together with a former top city official, face corruption charges for an alleged four-year scheme to misappropriate tax dollars to line their own pockets, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Lanita Henriquez, 53, and Dwayne Jones, 56, both from Oakland, were the targets of the joint probe of the FBI and the San Francisco District Attorney’s public integrity task force.

Prosecutors allege that Jones, who is the founder and president of RDJ Enterprises, allegedly provided checks both to Henriquez, the head of the city’s Community Challenge Grant program, and her family members totaling nearly $200,000.

Between 2016 and 2020, Henriquez allegedly signed off on 23 contracts with Jones’ firm and other entities she and her family had financial interests in, prosecutors say.  

“The charges announced today reflect my office’s on-going commitment to hold public officials accountable when they seek to enrich themselves at the public’s expense,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement, adding that the grant funds were intended to benefit residents, “not to line the pockets of government officials.’’

The two defendants face one count of misappropriation of public funds, six counts of bribery and 23 conflict of interest-related counts. Neither could be reached for comment.

 Jones was the subject of an NBC Bay Area investigation in 2020 that found his company netted millions of dollars consulting on a city program that he helped create.

City records show Jones partnered with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in 2011 to craft the agency’s Community Benefits Program, which gave contractors and consultants bidding on public projects extra credit for donating time and money to schools or nonprofits.

But since the program’s inception, records show at least seven firms bidding on SFPUC jobs tapped Jones to help craft their community benefits proposals.

Jones’s firm was also paid $7.1 million working as a community benefits consultant on five large public projects.

For much of the time, Jones also worked directly for the SFPUC under a $900,000 consulting contract inked in 2017, according to city records.

Critics contended Jones’ consulting work was a major conflict of interest.

In 2021, a scathing city audit found the program was “poorly designed” and at risk for potential abuse. Jones defended his role at the time, telling NBC Bay Area that his critics were jealous of his success. “There are haters in my neighborhood,” he said.

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Erin Rank

Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Los Angeles

Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Los Angeles

Nikki A Beasley

Nikki A Beasley, Executive Director, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services

Nikki A Beasley, Executive Director, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is pleased to announce the appointment of Nikki Beasley and Erin Rank to its Affordable Housing Advisory Council (Advisory Council) and the reappointment of five current members to new three-year terms.

The Advisory Council provides the Bank with expert guidance on affordable housing and economic development issues and advice on FHLBank San Francisco’s community grant and credit programs.

New AHAC members are:

Nikki A Beasley
Executive Director, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Richmond, California

Nikki A. Beasley is the Executive Director of Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc (RNHS). She joined the organization in 2016 after retiring from a 25-year career in banking and financial services. Although new to housing, she had a strong affinity for community and service. Because of her leadership, RNHS has doubled its property management rental portfolio for low- to moderate-income families through multifamily acquisition; established the organization’s Changing the Narrative of Homeownership Initiative; started the Lender Ready program in 2017, assisting over 200 new first-time homebuyers secure ownership; established the RNHS Money Matters Series, which the organization hosts monthly; and became a small-site infill developer in 2018. RNHS has also become a staple in the housing conversation throughout the Bay Area and Region, advocating for tenant and landlord rights, consumer affairs, fair housing, and working with municipalities to address zoning and create equitable programs for its residents. Nikki serves on the Board of California Reinvestment Coalition and serves on several working groups including Black Cultural Zone, Black Developers Forum, and Oakland Preservation Collaborative.

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Erin Rank
President and Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

Erin Rank is the President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA). Under her more than two decades of leadership, Habitat LA has helped build new affordable homes in partnership with thousands of volunteers each year. Habitat LA also helps people with critical home repairs, and recently Habitat LA helped families rebuild after the California wildfires. Rank has led the organization to become the top nonprofit residential home builder in Los Angeles as listed by the Los Angeles Business Journal four years in a row. She has held several leadership positions for Habitat for Humanity International, served as the Board Chair of Housing California, and is a licensed REALTOR and Mortgage Loan Originator. Erin was named among the “Top 100 Irish Americans” by Irish American Magazine and “Alumni of the Year” by Pepperdine University. Erin has built homes in countries all around the world, and this year she celebrates her personal 1,000th home completed in Los Angeles County.

Members reappointed to new three-year terms on the Advisory Council are:

Holly Benson
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Abode Communities, Los Angeles, California

Diana Yazzie Devine
President and Chief Executive Officer, Native American Connections, Phoenix, Arizona

Hilary Lopez, Ph.D.
Senior Associate, Praxis Consulting Group, Reno, Nevada

Takao Suzuki
Director of Community Development, Little Tokyo Service Center, Los Angeles, California

Tyrone Williams
Chief Executive Officer, Fresno Housing Authority, Fresno, California

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco delivers low-cost funding and other services that help member financial institutions make home mortgages to people of all income levels and provide credit that supports neighborhoods and communities. The Bank also funds community programs that help members create affordable housing and promote community economic development. The Bank’s members are headquartered in Arizona, California, and Nevada and include commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ad32910-dd26-421f-8227-e3850ce39dd6

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10547006-7dc4-496d-a0be-930b7be49bc5

CONTACT: Contact: Mary Long, (415) 572-6717, longm@fhlbsf.com

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Mayor London Breed matched that perspective, saying if you are not ahead of the virus you are falling far behind very quickly.

To contain the spread, San Francisco is joining several other Bay Area jurisdictions to enforce a stay at home order prior to government action.

RELATED: Here’s What’s Closed on an Order for Staying Home in the Bay Area

Contrary to the plan announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, the Bay Area regional home stay order will go into effect that Sunday through January 6th.

San Francisco, along with other counties in the Bay Area, will opt for the governor’s regional Stay at Home Order starting Sunday at 10 p.m.

We are well on the way to running out of hospital beds for patient care the day after Christmas. We have to turn this around now. https://t.co/F0qwFnCb9e

– London Breed (@LondonBreed) December 4, 2020

Breed made it clear in her message on Friday that what San Francisco is going through is difficult, but “there is a light at the end of the tunnel”.

WATCH: Mayor Breed Says What San Francisco Is Going Through Is Difficult, But “There’s A Light At The End Of The Tunnel”

Hospital admissions and cases are increasing in San Francisco, and Dr. Colfax said those numbers are likely to get worse in the coming days and weeks.

The city is recording an average of 140 new cases per day, compared to just 34 per day in October.

“We were in a much better place then,” said Breed.

Colfax said the city has about a week to stabilize the number of COVID-19 patients in the city’s hospital system.

#BREAKING Starting Sunday December 6th, these activities are required to cease operations in San Francisco via @LondonBreed: hair and nail salons, hair salons / tattoos / beauticians, outdoor dining, open air museums, playgrounds

– Kate Larsen (@ KateABC7) December 4, 2020

“Our biggest fear all along is that we won’t have a bed for you or your mother or your grandmother or grandfather if they get sick,” said Breed. “(It’s) the reality we’ll face if we don’t slow the spread. The actions we’ve tried so far just haven’t turned the curve the way we need them to.”

RELATED: 5 Bay Area counties to announce new restrictions, sources say sources

As part of the Bay Area home stay arrangement, restaurants will be limited to take away and delivery, personal services such as nail salons and hair salons will be closed, and retail store capacity will be limited to 20%.

If the virus continues at the current rate, Dr. Colfax announced that San Francisco hospitals will be short of ICU beds by December 26th.
“If this trend continues and we don’t slow the spread of the virus, we will no longer be able to care for the people in San Francisco’s hospitals, not just because of the beds, but also because we won’t have enough nurses and doctors, to “adequately care for people,” warned Colfax.

According to Colfax, 75% of hospital beds in California are currently occupied.

“There will be no place to relocate patients. There will be no other place to hire more nurses or doctors, which we could otherwise do in a localized health crisis,” warned Colfax.

He emphasized that this is why the city is proceeding so “aggressively”.

“It’s going to be tough this time, but the alternative is unthinkable,” said Colfax.

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours using the form below or here.

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Global Automotive HVAC Market: Snapshot

With increasing demand for taxi services such as Uber, Sidecar, Ola and Lyft, the global automotive HVAC market is expected to grow at a healthy pace. These car rental services have recognized the importance of the customer experience and therefore made air conditioning an important part of their services. As several manufacturers have worked to reduce the weight and size of vehicle components, the market for automotive HVAC systems is expected to evolve significantly. In addition, pressure sensors for air conditioning are being developed. This is expected to lead to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing HVAC systems.

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The global demand for passenger cars has multiplied rapidly. Automobile manufacturers are installing high-efficiency HVAC systems in luxury and mid-range to entry-level cars. Growing consumer disposable income in countries such as Brazil, India, China, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand is helping the global automotive HVAC market expand. Favorable government initiatives to revitalize the automotive industry make it easier for manufacturers to expand their presence. For example, the Indian government has announced that it will automatically allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the automotive sector. Leading automotive companies such as BMW, Audi, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche concentrate on equipping customer-friendly and tailor-made HVAC systems. Mergers, partnerships, product innovations, acquisitions and collaborations are becoming increasingly important among market participants. These business strategies will increase overall sales in the global Automotive HVAC market.

Global Automotive HVAC Market: General Overview

The global HVAC market for motor vehicles used to be characterized by the premium function of an air conditioning and heating system in cars. However, with the advancement of automotive technology and the demand for high-end cars, the HVAC system became standard equipment already provided by car manufacturers. First launched in the 1960s, HVAC systems are installed to control the temperature in a car cabin, although they are also used indoors. The automatic climate control of an HVAC system meets the needs of car owners for luxury and comfort in cool and hot weather.

Global Automotive HVAC Market: Key Segments

In terms of components, the international automotive HVAC market is divided into expansion devices, receivers or dryers, heat exchange devices, and compressors. According to the vehicle type, they are segmented into heavy commercial vehicles (HVCs), light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and passenger vehicles. Manual and automatic are the two important segments into which the market is technologically divided. Geographically, the market can be divided into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and the rest of the world.

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Global Automotive HVAC: Key growth factors and few challenges

The increasing demand for good value for money in terms of luxury automobiles and fuel efficiency is expected to emerge as a pre-eminent growth driver for the global automotive HVAC market. Similarly, the increasing adoption of premium cars and the demand for unparalleled comfort are likely to fuel the rate of growth in the market. Additionally, the increased time owners spend in their automobiles and the increased traction of private vehicles compared to those used for public transportation have contributed to the growth of the automotive HVAC market.

On the other hand, the complexities associated with HVAC system technology and technological changes have, to some extent, slowed the growth of the global automotive HVAC market.

However, a growing population base around the world is becoming familiar with HVAC systems by raising awareness of technology. This will greatly help the automotive HVAC market surpass its limitations.

Global Automotive HVAC Market: Geographical Outlook

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the land of opportunity for suppliers in the automotive sector due to the massive vehicle production in China, India, Japan and other countries. Indeed, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the largest region in the global automotive HVAC market. With the fastest growing segments like India and South Korea, as well as leading countries like China and Japan in terms of auto manufacturing, Asia Pacific is expected to secure its unrestricted position in the automotive HVAC market for years to come. While the Asia-Pacific region is forecast to grow at a huge CAGR, North America will see stable growth due to rising consumer income levels and the rapid recovery from the economic crisis.

Global Automotive HVAC Market: Company Profiling

New entrants to the global automotive HVAC market have piqued the curiosity and interest of end users even though few players previously dominated. Some of the key companies expected to lead the market are Calsonic Kansei Corporation, Inalfa Roof Systems Group BV, Eberspacher Climate Control Systems Gmbh & Co., Toyota Industries Corporation, Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. , Air International Thermal Systems, Keihin Corporation, Japan Climate Systems Corporation, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co.Kg, Delphi Automotive Plc, Denso Corporation, Sanden Corporation, Gentherm Inc., Behr GmbH. & Co. Kg. And Imasen Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

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