Former S.F. supervisor pleads guilty to federal extortion, bribery, plans to accuse others

Ed Jew appeared in Federal court this morning one day after being indicted by a grand jury on five charges stemming from his alleged extortion scheme involving tapioca drink shop owners.Ed Jew and his lawyer, Steven Gruel were out side the court house this morning. EDJEW08_0019_KR.jpg Kurt Rogers / The Chronicle Photo taken on 11/7/07, in San Francisco, CA, USA less Ed Jew appeared in Federal court this morning one day after being indicted by a grand jury on five charges stemming from his alleged extortion scheme involving tapioca drink shop owners.Ed Jew and his lawyer, ... more Photo: Kurt Rogers, SFC Photo: Kurt Rogers, SFC Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Former S.F. supervisor pleads guilty to federal extortion, bribery, plans to accuse others 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Ed Jew, the former San Francisco supervisor who resigned from office in January after state and federal prosecutors accused him of corruption, pleaded guilty to federal charges this morning.

Jew admitted to mail fraud, extortion and soliciting a bribe in connection with a scheme to shake down Chinese immigrant owners of tapioca drink shops in the Sunset District for $84,000 in bribes.

Jew's attorney said his client believed his actions were legal because that's how he learned to behave in politics. At his sentencing on Feb. 13, Jew is prepared to name others who he says have engaged in similar actions.

Unlike past court appearances, no supporters gathered at the hearing in U.S. District Court. Jew could spend decades in federal prison.

He also still faces state charges alleging that he lied about where he lived to vote and run for office in San Francisco. Prosecutors say Jew lived in Burlingame while he campaigned for and represented District Four in the Sunset. A state court hearing is scheduled later this month.

The admission of guilt in the federal case ends a large part of the saga that began in May 2007, when FBI agents raided Jew's City Hall office, his Chinatown flower shop and two homes searching for the money prosecutors alleged he had taken from the shop owners.

Jew had been in office just six months when the raid happened. A grand jury indicted him 11 months ago, alleging that Jew extorted money from the Quickly tapioca drink chain.

After the planning official told Jew that the chain's stores appeared to be violating a permit ordinance, Jew told the store operators he would help them stay in business in exchange for cash payments of $10,000 for each of the eight businesses, the indictment said.

Following the raid, questions arose about whether Jew lived in the Sunset or with his wife and daughter in Burlingame. The San Francisco District Attorney charged Jew with nine felonies, accusing him of lying about his residency.

He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 21 to set a trial on those charges, but state prosecutors have said a resolution in the federal case could affect how they proceed.