sfweekly.com ^ | Sep 24th, 2003 Yes 2003 For Those in Rio Linda that's 15+ years ago...read more
Harris met Willie Brown in 1994 when he was speaker of the state Assembly. She was 29, he was 60.
Harris' networks, especially in high society, expanded rapidly while she was going out with one of California's most powerful politicians. The association also had major financial benefits, which Harris talks about reluctantly.
Aside from handing her an expensive BMW, Brown appointed her to two patronage positions in state government that paid handsomely — more than $400,000 over five years.
In 1994, she took a six-month leave of absence from her Alameda County job to join the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
Brown then appointed her to the California Medical Assistance Commission, where she served until 1998, attending two meetings a month for a $99,000 annual salary.
Asked what guarantee she can make that she will not sell out the interests of her rank-and-file supporters to those of her wealthy financial backers, Harris says with real emotion, “How could I turn my back on my people?
“I believe that everything you put out in the world comes back to you. There are consequences for everything. Karma exists, absolutely.”