Home / Arts and Entertainment / Mayor Accused of Prioritizing Daughter's Ballet Over Blackout
Mayor Accused of Prioritizing Daughter's Ballet Over Blackout
13 Feb
Summary
- Mayor allegedly demanded power restoration for daughter's ballet during blackout.
- Power company supervisor claimed mayor directed crews to prioritize opera house.
- Mayor's office and power company later disputed the claim of preferential treatment.
A controversy has emerged in San Francisco following a city-wide blackout that began on December 20th, leaving 130,000 residents without power. It is alleged that Mayor Daniel Lurie, heir to the Levi's fortune, demanded that power be restored to the War Memorial Opera House on December 21st specifically so his daughter, Taya Lurie, could perform as Clara in The Nutcracker ballet. A supervisor for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Sumeet Singh, claimed during a hearing that the mayor directed energy officials to prioritize temporary generation for the opera house.
However, PG&E has since issued a statement asserting that the mayor did not request or direct them to restore power to the opera house, with a spokesperson suggesting Singh misunderstood the information. The mayor's office also refuted the accusation, stating that Mayor Lurie advocated for the swift restoration of power across the entire city. Despite these denials, text messages obtained by The San Francisco Standard indicate that Mayor Lurie was actively receiving updates from a PG&E representative regarding the opera house's power situation and the mobilization of a vendor for temporary generation for a performance.
Recordings show that the 2 PM performance of The Nutcracker on December 21st proceeded using the opera house's backup generator. PG&E confirmed they were assisting in securing temporary generation for the 7 PM show. Mayor Lurie and his wife, Becca Prowda, who works for California Governor Gavin Newsom, reside in a nine-bedroom home in Pacific Heights.
