ETHICS COMMISSION IMPOSES FINE OF $45,000 FOR LOBBYING VIOLATIONS

The Ethics Commission unanimously approved a stipulated order at its meeting today, imposing a fine of $45,000 on Daniel Ahadian (Ahadian) and nūr Corporation (nūr) for failing to comply with the mandatory registration and reporting requirements in the Municipal Lobbying Ordinance.

Lobbying entities, including lobbyists and lobbying firms, are required to register with the Ethics Commission and to report their lobbying activities on a quarterly basis to help the public identify who is attempting to influence City action.

Ahadian is a former City official and the sole owner of nūr, a planning and land use consulting firm. Ahadian and nūr admitted that they failed to register as lobbying entities and file quarterly disclosure reports from the first quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2019. They agreed to pay a joint penalty of $45,000.

Information about attempting to influence City land use decisions and lobbyist registration requirements for land use professionals can be found here. Any person who directly communicates or plans to communicate with City employees in an attempt to influence a land use or other City decision on another person’s behalf is strongly encouraged to contact the Ethics Commission staff for advice about how to comply with the City’s lobbying laws.

All penalties levied by the Ethics Commission are paid to the City’s general fund. Enforcement orders can be viewed and searched through the Ethics Commission’s Public Data Portal.