BottleRock Sporting The popular Green music festival in Kevin Durant Napa began hears the talk Friday and goes and is tired of through Sunday. outsiders trying Keep up with to separate him The Chronicle’s and Warriors. B1 extensive online World coverage at: http://datebook. Prime Minister Theresa May announces sfchronicle.com. her own Brexit effective June 7. A2

SFChronicle.com | Saturday, May25, 2019 | Contains recycled paper | $2.00 xxxxx• S.F. police chief apologizes for raid

Free-press tests: Leak cases differ, ‘I’m sorry’: Scott concedes officers but questions remain the same botched probe of journalist’s home

By Bob Egelko conspiring to leak government By Evan Sernoffsky an independent investigation secrets. into the episode. About two weeks after San The cases differ in many After two weeks of growing Police “should have done a Francisco police went to free- details but have at least one outrage, San Francisco Police better job,” Scott said in an lance reporter Bryan Carmo- thing in common: Both men Chief Bill Scott apologized interview with The Chronicle. dy’s home with a sledgeham- obtained confidential informa- Friday for raiding a journalist’s “I’m sorry that this happened. mer to look for leaked files, tion from a government custo- home and office in a bid to I’m sorry to the people of San Trump administration prose- dian in order to make it public Eric Risberg / Associated Press unmask a confidential source, Francisco. I’m sorry to the cutors charged Wikileaks — an action their accusers say Police Chief Bill Scott walks admitting the searches were mayor. We have to fix it. We founder Julian Assange with Leaks continues on A8 back his initial stance on raid. probably illegal and calling for Adachi continues on A9 Border spending blocked in court

Oakland judge says Trump exceeded authority on wall

By Bob Egelko

A federal judge ordered a halt to construction of Presi- dent Trump’s border wall Friday, saying Trump exceeded his legal authority by mandat- ing a project that Congress has refused to pay for. U.S. District Judge Hayward Gilliam of Oakland, the first judge to consider legal chal- lenges to Trump’s order, grant- ed requests by environmental and immigrant advocates for an injunction against trans- Photos by Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The Chronicle ferring funds from other feder- The Brixton is one of several restaurants near Oracle Park shifting its focus from baseball fans to local residents. al programs to build the first stage of the wall, in Arizona and Texas. “Congress’ absolute control Collateral damage of over federal expenditures — even when that control may frustrate the desires of the executive branch regarding initiatives it views as impor- tant — is not a bug in our con- a tumultuous season stitutional system,” Gilliam wrote. “It is a feature of that system, and an essential one.” Principles of government Restaurants near Oracle Park “dating back to the earliest impacted by Giants’ struggles days of our Republic,” Gilliam said, demonstrate that “when Congress declines the exec- By Justin Phillips “God, I hope this doesn’t go utive’s request to appropriate extra innings,” said a custom- funds, the executive (may not) The groan and smattering of er, one of only a few seated on ... simply find a way to spend polite applause following a Momo’s patio. those funds.” fifth-inning Atlanta Braves Eight innings later, the Gi- Trump has proposed redi- home run Thursday afternoon ants lost 5-4, marking the recting $8.1 billion from other was audible at Momo’s restau- team’s third defeat in four projects, mostly military, to rantacross the street from games. People had already left build a wall at the Mexican Oracle Park. Despite idyllic, the stadium in droves between border. The judge’s ruling pre-summer San Francisco the fourth and seventh in- blocks the diversion of $1 bil- weather, food and drink spots nings, few stopping to dine at lion in military funds to the along King Street, the normal- Momo’s or other nearby estab- Arizona and Texas phases. ly bustling strip in front of the lishments. Charlotte naps while her mother, Jayne Carini, eats with Gilliam said he would con- stadium, were quiet. Giantscontinues on A8 family at the Brixton before heading to a Giants game. sider the legality of additional Wall continues on A6

Weather Pot-seller permits are only a beginning Partly sunny. Highs: 59-75. Lows: 49-54. By Sarah Ravani um,” said Blunt, who co-owns D4 Oakland equity plan seen as just the business with his partner, Alphonso Blunt stood out- first of several needed solutions Brittany Moore. “I pinch my- side a warehouse near 66th self daily.” Avenue and San Leandro Blunt, who had a felony Street in Oakland and gazed sary. Blunts+Moore on Nov. 29, the marijuana possession convic- with satisfaction at the Colise- Nearly a year earlier, he had first and still the only equity- tion nearly a decade ago, is an um across the street. Behind received his license to sell owned cannabis dispensary example of a business success him, a steady stream of cus- marijuana. After months of operating in Oakland. story out of Oakland’s canna- tomers walked through the searching for financing and a “It was life-changing for me bis equity program. Created in glass doors of the warehouse building for his business, to be able to sell cannabis le- 2017, the program requires and into his marijuana dispen- Blunt opened the doors to gally across from the Colise- Cannabis continues on A9 A8 | SanFrancisco Chronicle and SFChronicle.com XXXXX• FROM THE COVER Restaurants cope with Giants’ toils

Giantsfrom page A1 restaurants and bars near the ballpark may be Oracle Park’s For restaurants and bars progressive dining options. around Oracle Park, as much In 2014, the team opened as some of the operators want an edible garden through a to view the Giants (21-28) as partnership with Bon Appetit the lovable local outfit strug- Management Co., the park's gling to rediscover its winning food service company, which ways, the truth is the team was one of the first of its has become a hindrance to kind in baseball. Dining of- business. Multiple losing sea- ferings at the park remain sons have sent ticket sales trendy with new additions plummeting, meaning fewer each season, like this year people are coming to the with burgers from Impossible neighborhood to eat and Foods and an outpost of the drink. chicken sandwich shop Or- “If I’m being honest, when ganic Coup. the Giants are losing like they Since neighboring busi- are now, business for me goes nesses can no longer rely down by about 30 percent,” solely on baseball crowds, said Deanna Sison, owner of some owners are shifting two restaurants within a half- their focus to people who live mile of Oracle Park — Little in the area. A clear example Skillet and Mestiza. “Natu- of this could be found at the rally you want the team to do Brixton, a new bar and res- well, but when they don’t, taurant in the former Paragon you can feel it almost immedi- restaurant space, on Thursday ately as a business owner.” afternoon. Despite winning three At one point during the World Series between 2010 early innings of the game, the and 2014, the Giants’ dynastic Photos by Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The Chronicle dining room and bar area was run seems like a distant mem- Above: Marianne Carini (left) filled with around 200 cus- ory for local fans. During a and Jayne Carini grab lunch tomers, according to staff 10-game stretch to start the at the Brixton restaurant with members. Only a handful of current season, the Giants family members before people in the crowd at the averaged 32,165 paid fans, attending a Giants game. Left: time were wearing Giants which was around 20% below Banks White works with his gear. the average for the 2018 sea- team at the Brixton. “Look, the city is just in son. The change of fortune for flux. One minute you know the franchise is more appar- out on what he said was an everyone in the neighborhood, ent when considering how old tradition: eating before or and the next, they moved out between 2010 to 2017, the after the game at nearby Ami- to the outlying cities because team sold out 530 consecutive ci's East Coast Pizzeria. San Francisco is too expen- games. As a byproduct, res- “I remember a long time sive,” said Hugo Gamboa, a taurants were thriving. ago thinking that I would die co-founder of the Brixton. Public House and Mijita, a before I ever saw them with a “There’s a lot of people who spacious gastropub and a World Series,” Jeffers said, just moved into this area less Mexican restaurant, opened adding that the celebratory than a year ago from New next to Oracle Park in 2010, atmosphere used to make Yo rk or somewhere else. They the same year the Giants won people want to be in the care about baseball but they a World Series. Public House neighborhood during winning also just want a great place to remains open, while Mijita seasons. “It’s different these go eat. So in the lean years, relocated in 2015. Also in days.” who is important? The resi- 2010, an ambitious restaurant Jeffers wasn’t alone in his dents.” and bistro called Ironside behavior. On the walk up Ultimately, all businesses opened on Second Street. neighborhood ended in 2017 like others in the area, but he Second Street, some fleeing can do is continue riding the Things seemed to take a during another disappointing isn’t sure of the exact num- the stadiumpassed Lord team’s waves of success when- turn during the team’s down Giants season. bers. George, a familiar watering ever they may come, while years — 2011, 2013 and every Though the closures coin- “I hate to oversimplify it, hole for Giants fans over the also navigating the down year after 2014. Ironside cided with tough years for the but it sort of is what it is,” he years. years, said Lord George’s closed in 2015 when the Gi- Giants, the only recent busi- said. “You can adjust by mak- Ezra Berman is one of the Berman. Outside of his bar ants won barely more than ness to publicly attribute its ing sure you have good man- bar’s operators. He said the there’s a mannequin wearing half their games. Merigan Sub shutdown to the team’s lack agement. Honestly, the only crowds are smaller on game a Giants jersey. Shop opened on Second Street of success was a Marina thing you control is the cus- days this season but it “hasn’t “At the end of the day, peo- in 2013 and closed in 2016, sports bar called the Brick tomer experience.” had too much of an impact ple drink when they’re happy just one season before the Yard. It opened in 2010 on While the Giants’ loss to yet, luckily” on his business. and people drink when franchise took an even more Union Street and closed earli- the Braves was unfolding on “When the Giants are good, they’re sad,” he said. “It’s still dramatic downward turn and er this month. Thursday, 66-year-old South people want to spend all nine fun to go to the games. I was won only 40% of its games. Peter Osborne, owner of San Francisco native Dave innings at the park,” he said. at one the other day. And it’s One of the more notable three businesses — Momo’s, Jeffers decided to leave the “Then they leave and eat and still thousands of people who restaurant spaces near the Pete’s Tavern and Pedro’s ballpark early. He said he drink around the neighbor- come to watch them play.” ballparkonce belonged to Cantina — near Oracle park, tries to come to at least seven hood. It’s not really happen- Paragon, a spacious restau- said the decrease in revenue or eight games each year, but ing when the team is playing Justin Phillips is a San rant and bar that originally during the team’s down years after a while,this game just like it is now.” Francisco Chronicle staff writer. opened in 2000. The busi- is to be expected. He said his didn’t seem worthy of his Another contributing factor Email: [email protected] ness’s 20-year run in the own ventures have taken a hit time. He was even skipping to the drop in business for Twitter: @JustMrPhillips

target (journalists) for report- chi’s recent death from heart Francke said past court Carmody, Assange ing. But Assange is no journal- failure. A toxicology report rulings lean toward exoner- ist.” concluded his blood contained ation. He noted that, unlike every- cocaine and alcohol. For example, the California cases test free press day journalists, Assange didn’t Carmody has not been Supreme Court in 1973 unani- edit his material but released charged with a crime, but mously overturned the convic- raw files on his website — police obtained a search war- tions of the Los Angeles Free Leaks from page A1 ment computers. including, the indictment al- rant and raided his home May Press, its editor and a reporter The new grand jury in- leged, the names of foreign 10 after he refused to identify for receiving stolen property. was a crime. And whether dictment accuses Assange of 17 sources who “risked their his source. San Francisco Po- That property included the Carmody and Assange are counts of espionage — that, by safety and freedom by provid- lice Chief Bill Scott said names and addresses of un- journalists or not, free-press encouraging Manning to re- ing information to the United Carmody was suspected of dercover agents they had got- advocates say their cases could lease secret documents so that States and our allies.” conspiring with his source to ten from a mail clerk at the set a dangerous precedent. he could publish them, he But if Assange is not a stan- “illegally obtain this report.” state attorney general’s office. “Sources are a journalist’s “willfully caused” her to en- dard journalist, said Terry On Friday, Scott apologized The court said the document lifeblood,” said James Wag- danger national security and Francke,general counsel of the for the raid, said it had prob- hadn’t been stolen because the staffe,aSan Francisco lawyer “unlawfully obtained” the media-support group Califor- ably been illegal and admitted clerk had no intention of keep- who specializes in First documents. nians Aware, he is at least a the police application for the ing it permanently. Amendment issues and teach- The charges, each punish- journalistic source who plays search warrant had failed to And in 1969, a federal ap- es journalism at San Francisco able by 10 years in prison, are much the same role in expos- adequately identify Carmody peals court dismissed a priva- State University. “When the the first accusations of espio- ing wrongdoing. as a journalist. He said the cy and stolen-property suit government, as in these two nage in U.S. history against Assange was not an official SFPD was no longer conduct- against columnists Drew Pear- cases, threatens reporters or someone who describes him- custodian of the documents ing a criminal investigation of son and Jack Anderson by a their sources with criminal self as a journalist. Manning and did not steal them, the leak but had turned it over U.S. senator whose employees punishment for sharing confi- was convicted of espionage Francke said, and those who to an outside agency. gave the columnists some dential information, it has a and sentenced to 35 years in provide such information to California’s voter-approved copies of personal letters. The clotting effect. We need the prison, but was released in the media and the public must “shield law” allows journalists court said the senator should free flow of information to seven years after then-Presi- receive some legal protection to keep their sources and un- sue his employees, because the expose wrongdoing.” dent Barack Obama commuted “if we care about getting at the published material confiden- columnists hadn’t asked them Carmody and Assange’s her sentence. Obama, who had truth in powerful and secretive tial and also protects them to do anything illegal. cases are “instances of deeply his own confrontations with organizations.” from searches, even after judi- Merely encouraging some- troubling government over- the press, decided not to pros- Snyder said Assange is cial warrants, unless they one else to disclose secrets reach that shows a disregard ecute Assange. being prosecuted for “the mere acquired the information ille- doesn’t appear to be a crime, for the essential role that the “For the first time in the act of publishing classified gally. said Matthew Coles, a law press, and their sources, play history of our country, the information — something Similarly, said Michael professor at UC Hastings Col- in a healthy democracy,” said government has brought crim- virtually every newspaper has McConnell, a Stanford law lege of the Law in San Francis- David Snyder, executive direc- inal charges against a pub- done many times over the professor and federal appeals co. “You’ve got to become an tor of the First Amendment lisher for the publication of years.” court judge, a publisher can’t active participant in illegally Coalition, a media-advocacy truthful information,” said Much the same could be be charged under federal law obtaining it” to be prosecuted, organization based in San Ben Wizner,an American said of Carmody, who has for disclosing information that he said. Rafael. Civil Liberties Union lawyer. spent 30 years as a freelance someone else has stolen, but And it’s probably no coinci- Assange’s case changed Wikileaks tweeted that the “stringer,” a self-employed can be charged if the publisher dence, Coles said, that all this dramatically Thursday. His prosecution was “the end of news-gatherer who makes his “assisted or conspired in the is taking place “at a moment initial indictment, unsealed six national security journalism living looking for scoops and theft.” when the president of the weeks ago, charged him with and the First Amendment.” selling them to media outlets. So the question for both United States calls journalists conspiring with Army in- John Demers, head of the In February, local television Carmody and Assange is enemies of the people.” telligence analyst Chelsea Defense Department’s Nation- stations aired a confidential whether it’s a crime to obtain Manning to obtain state se- al Security Division, told re- police report that Carmody — and in Assange’s case, solic- Bob Egelko is a San Francisco crets in 2009 and 2010, by porters when the indictment had obtained from an undis- it — confidential information Chronicle staff writer. Email: trying, unsuccessfully, to help was released that it was not closed source on San Francis- from a source who may have [email protected] Manning hack into govern- “the department’s policy to co Public Defender Jeff Ada- disclosed it illegally. Twitter: @BobEgelko XXXXX• SanFrancisco Chronicle and SFChronicle.com | A9 FROM THE COVER Early read: Pot startups need more to soar

Cannabis from page A1 applicants. The rest of the tax revenue went to the general half of all cannabis permits to fund, and that’s the money go to applicants who were Bas hopes to divert back to prosecuted for marijuana- the equity program. related crimes or were On Tuesday, the City Coun- harmed by the broad impacts cil voted to lower the business of the drug war. It also pro- tax for recreational cannabis vides low-interest loans and enterprises that make less other limited assistance to than $500,000 per year, from participants. 10% down to 0.12%. Oakland The program was touted has one of the highest busi- for being one of the first in ness tax rates in the state, the country to attempt to said Councilman Dan Kalb, repair damage that befell who introduced the resolu- minority communities, and tion. other cities, including Los Part of the reason to lower Angeles, followed Oakland’s the tax, council members said, lead. Though the equity pro- is to give equity businesses a gram is still in its early days, chance to survive. In June,the critics say it is not living up council will consider a second to its promise. measure that would address People striving to break the tax for bigger cannabis into the industry complain of businesses. long wait times after filing an Jessie Grundy, owner of application for a city permit. Green Peakz, an equity dis- Some can’t find the financial Photos by Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle tribution business in Oak- backing needed to start their Owners Brittany Moore and Alphonso Blunt received one of four equity business permits to land, applied for a $100,000 businesses while others sim- sell cannabis products at Blunts+Moore across the street from the Coliseum in Oakland. loan in November and re- ply don’t have the experience ceived his first $25,000 in- to run a small enterprise. Oakland’s cannabis equity program stallment in January. He The city has approved four opened his business a month equity and four non-equity The city’s cannabis equity program required at least half of all later, nearly a year after re- dispensaries — and one of cannabis permits to go to equity applicants. Equity applicants must ceiving his cannabis license. each has opened. It has grant- be city residents earning less than 80% of the average city income, “Until the funding came, I ed 21 permits for other equity have lived in a specified high-crime zone for at least 10 of the past 20 couldn’t really do anything,” years, or have been convicted of a cannabis crime in Oakland after cannabis businesses and the Grundy said. “I’m just a one- Nov. 5, 1996. same number for non-equity man team out of Oakland, but businesses. There are far The equity program supplies applicants with loans that range from you would never know it more applicants than licenses $5,000 to $100,000 per applicant. As of April, nearly $1 million of because I was able to get the available because the city the initial tax revenue has been allocated for loan applicants. The funding to play with the big limits the number of cannabis program also offers technical assistance to help applicants with the boys. If you don’t have the startup process. ventures. More than 800 equi- money to play with the big ty businesses had applied as As of May, there are 50 new cannabis businesses since the equity brands in this business, of March. program launched — 25 are equity businesses — that have been you’re going to get eaten up The city does not track approved by all city departments, including the fire, police and plan- by the competition.” what happens after applicants ning departments. In addition to access to receive permits, and can’t say Eight medical cannabis dispensaries were running before recre- capital, Minor said, equity ational sales were legalized; eight more have been approved, in- how many of the permitted A cannabis product viewed applicants have expressed a cluding four equity dispensaries. non-dispensary businesses, through a magnifying glass at need for job training pro- either equity or not, are oper- Blunts+Moore in Oakland. The city selected four other dispensary applicants through a com- grams. California passed a ating. petitive scoring process that gave weight to businesses that commit- law last year that allows cities Similarly, San Francisco has ted to incubating equity applicants. Of those four, one of the busi- with cannabis equity pro- seen a slow rollout of its own who wants the city to direct nesses is now open: ECO Cannabis. grams to apply for one-time equity program. Four equity all of its marijuana tax reve- All of the dispensaries are authorized to sell medical and recre- funds. Minor said Oakland applicants currently have nue to the equity program. ational cannabis. will apply for those funds operating businesses in San “The investment in this in- once the application process Francisco, said Bill Barnes, a dustry, I think, could be tar- is launched. spokesman for the city ad- geted to stem the displace- issue that you created,” said same challenges that any Blunt says Oakland needs ministrator’s office. Two hun- ment of Oakland’s black com- Martin, who is co-executive small business would face, to go further than just mak- dred and seventy-five equity munity, as well as to provide director of Hood Incubator, an and then on top of that, they ing permits accessible to equi- applicants are going through real opportunities for folks organization that aims to face all the challenges that ty applicants. the application process. who have been involved in the increase the participation of any cannabis business faces “You give a poor person Despite its challenges, pro- criminal justice system.” minorities in the legal canna- in the first year of cannabis with no money a license, ponents say the program is Lanese Martin, a member bis industry. “Opportunities to legalization,” Greg Minor, what am I going to do with crucial to Oakland’s cannabis of the city’s Cannabis Reg- create businesses is not com- assistant to the city adminis- the license?” Blunt said. industry. Advocates and City ulatory Commission, said the munity reinvestment. A pro- trator, told the council’s Fi- “Where am I going to go find Council members say they are council should split the mon- gram designed to help people nance Committee in April. a building? Educate those committed to finding solu- ey among supporting the start businesses pretty much “There is a tremendous need same people, who you give tions to ensure its success. existing program, job training completely misses the mark.” for programs.” licenses to, educate them how Ideas range from job training and housing grants. Jobs and City officials have acknowl- For the fiscal year 2017-18, not to sign their life away” to workshops to providing hous- housing must be prioritized, edged the program struggles Oakland received $971,153 in lenders. ing assistance grants for equi- Martin said, because “that is to give its intended beneficia- sales taxes and $7.4 million in ty applicants. the easiest way to get some- ries the support they need. business taxes from the can- Sarah Ravani is a San “I do think there is more one stable.” “These equity applicants by nabis industry. The initial $3.4 Francisco Chronicle staff writer. that we can do,” said Council- “You could take that money definition are extremely small million was used to provide Email: [email protected] woman Nikki Fortunato Bas, and tack it to the drug-war businesses so they face the assistance and loans to equity Twitter: @SarRavani Police chief concedes raid on journalist was wrong

Adachi from page A1 “I’m sorry that this happened. I’m sorry to the it as part of his work as a jour- cameras and phones at his nalist. home and office. They hand- know there were some con- people of San Francisco. I’m sorry to the A week earlier, Scott had cuffed Carmody as well. cerns in that investigation and mayor. We have to fix it. We know there were defended the raid in front of Scott said the officers who we know we have to fix it.” the city Police Commission, executed the search did not Scott said he has now re- some concerns in that investigation and we saying, “We went through the consult with the district at- viewed all material relating to know we have to fix it.” legal process and the appropri- torney’s office before obtaining the May 10 search of freelance ate legal process for a criminal the warrants — a violation of videographer Bryan Carmo- S.F. Police Chief Bill Scott investigation.” department policy. He’s also dy’s home and office, which But on Friday, he said that pledged to review department was part of an investigation wasn’t the case. policy regarding warrant ap- into who leaked him a sala- into complaints against police on Thursday joined in con- “One of the issues that I saw plications and tactics around cious police report on the Feb- — has agreed to investigate demning the police action. in this is in the initial war- police searches. ruary death of Public Defender any administrative violations. Supervisor Hillary Ronen, rants,” he said. “There’s one “The look of that was not Jeff Adachi — a report Carmo- The chief said Mayor Lon- who was the first of many on that’s particularity troubling good,” he said “We look back dy then sold to three television don Breed had requested the the Board of Supervisors to and concerning. The issue is on every situation and we have stations. independent probe. He also criticize the raid, said Scott’s the clarity in the warrant. The to look at the tactics and we The chief said he was “con- said the department will not apology and the independent description of what his role have to own up to things that cerned” that the applications use any evidence seized in the investigations are “absolutely entails as a journalist — there we can do better and that’s for the search warrants didn’t raids and will not turn it over the right thing to be doing.” should have been more clarity definitely something we can do adequately identify Carmody to other investigators. “I understand that it took there. That is going to be a better.” as a journalist — particularly a In a statement Friday, Breed him a couple weeks, but the concern that has to be ex- Thomas Burke, an attorney warrant to search his phone. said she was glad the chief fact that he is unequivocally plored further.” representing Carmody on First California’s shield law pro- “acknowledged the depart- apologizing and laying out Carmody’s attorney in the Amendment issues, said police tects journalists from being ment's mistakes and apolo- clear actions that he’s taking in criminal case, Ben Berkowitz, violated federal and state law forced to reveal confidential gized,” but was “deeply dis- response is what you would said the Police Department — including California’s broad sources or hand over unpub- appointed by the actions taken want from a leader,” she said. should “take steps to make shield law that protects jour- lished information including in this case up to today. This is Carmody said he obtained a sure this never happens nalists. Burke, who has repre- notes, recordings and pictures. unacceptable and we have to police report from a confiden- again.” sented The Chronicle and its It specifically bars police from do better.” tial source shortly after Ada- “I’m calling on them to come parent company, Hearst Corp., obtaining this sensitive in- “The actions being taken chi’s death at age 59 on Feb. 22 out and clear Bryan’s name in other cases, filed a motion formation through searches. today are the right thing for before selling it. Some city with a statement that he has this week to quash the war- Scott said the department the department and for the officials were outraged over engaged in no criminal activity rants. will drop its investigations and city,” she said. “We have to the leak and suspected some- whatsoever,” he said. “One of The warrants were filed turn them over to independent restore the trust among the one in the Police Department the things I’ve found so offen- under seal, so it’s not clear agencies. The department department, the public, and was trying to smear the late sive about the San Francisco what police listed as the prob- relinquished a criminal in- the media. An independent public defender, who was a Police Department’s conduct is able cause justifying the vestigation into the leak, which and free press is essential in police watchdog and crusader it picked on an independent searches. The judges who could prompt charges, and an our city and our society.” against officer misconduct. journalist. They wouldn’t have signed the warrants, Victor internal affairs investigation, Scott’s position on Friday In a news conference Tues- dared break down The San Hwang and Gail Dekreon, which could lead to discipline was a reversal of his earlier day, Scott said his department Francisco Chronicle’s door.” have not commented. for officers. It’s not clear who public comments on the raid, had suspected Carmody took Police asked Carmody to will step in to investigate the which sparked outrage locally part in a criminal conspiracy reveal his source in April. Evan Sernoffsky is a San criminal side, but he said the and nationally from lawmak- to steal an internal police re- When he refused, officers Francisco Chronicle staff writer. city Department of Police Ac- ers and press-freedom ad- port. Carmody said he did not showed up with a sledgeham- Email: esernoffsky@ countability — an independent vocates. Gov. Gavin Newsom pay for the report or conspire mer, battering ram and pry bar sfchronicle.com Twitter: oversight body created to look and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris to steal it but simply acquired before seizing his computers, @EvanSernoffsky