Another top staffer quits Oakland Public Ethics Commission

Nicolas Heidorn, the executive director of Oakland's Public Ethics Commission (PEC), is set to leave his position in July, prompting an open recruitment process for his successor. The PEC serves as a watchdog for campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics laws, yet it is grappling with a backlog of 171 cases, managed by only one investigator. Heidorn's departure follows the resignation of enforcement chief Simon Russell, who criticized the city for insufficient resources amid a growing workload. In an interview, Heidorn stressed the importance of adequate funding and staffing for the commission to effectively address its enforcement backlog and implement initiatives like Democracy Dollars. This program, designed to provide residents with vouchers for political campaigns, has faced delays due to financial constraints.

Heidorn also noted that the city council has previously rejected proposals to create a dedicated funding source for the PEC. He expressed hope that ongoing efforts to establish a new parcel tax could stabilize the commission's funding in the future. The commission plays a crucial role in maintaining government transparency and accountability, highlighting the need for ongoing support from city leaders.