I-Team obtains exclusive Ed Jew FBI video

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

ABC7 Extra: Ed Jew undercover FBI video ::

ABC7 Extra: Ed Jew undercover FBI video, Pt.2 ::

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Dan Noyes , Chief Investigative Reporter
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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An FBI video tape shows former San Francisco supervisor Ed Jew counting the cash. It is money he took in the corruption scandal that forced him out of office.

It was a key piece of evidence against Ed Jew, who pleaded guilty to federal charges last year, and who was sentenced on Wednesday on separate charges in a state court in San Francisco.

Video: ABC7 Extra: Ed Jew undercover FBI video

Video: ABC7 Extra: Ed Jew undercover FBI video, Pt.2

Story: Ed Jew speaks exclusively to ABC7

The ABC7 I-Team has been working with the FBI for the past three weeks to get this video -- ever since Ed Jew received his sentence on federal charges of extortion, bribery and public corruption. It's just a coincidence that we received this disc today, when he received more time behind bars.

FBI undercover video shows San Francisco supervisor Ed Jew accepting a bribe -- two stacks of bills, $40,000. Jew had no idea the man who gave him the money was a confidential source for the FBI.

The ABC7 I-Team showed the video to former FBI agent Rick Smith.

"In the stings that you carried out, how important is that moment, that shot with the money in his hand?" asked Dan Noyes.

"It's one of those things, that's the home run that you're looking for, in just that instant, like the Abscam case for instance where the congressman is stuffing the money in his pocket," said Smith.

The meeting took place May 7th, 2007 at Jew's Chinatown flower shop.

Owners of several Quickly tapioca drink stores reported that Jew was demanding money to help them with permit problems.

A complaint to the FBI brought about this sting.

"They wanted to capture this on video to confirm what the source reporting was all about and obviously, they were able to accomplish that," said Smith.

On the FBI video, Jew takes his time to count every bill. He talks to the shop owners present -- the FBI deleted the audio before providing it to us.

An agency spokesman tells the ABC7 I-Team they want to protect the source involved in the sting.

The video played a key role in the federal case against Jew. He pleaded guilty to extortion, bribery and public corruption earlier this month, and received a sentence of five years and four months in federal prison.

On Wednesday, he received a year in county jail for lying on election documents about residing in San Francisco. The court found that he actually was living in Burlingame. After the hearing, Jew still defended himself.

"Like my grandfather, he says San Francisco is his home. My father was born and raised here, I was born and raised and educated here. San Francisco is my home. I love San Francisco dearly, God Bless America and God bless San Francisco," said Jew.

"Ed wants to be a private citizen, do his time and get back with his family. I appreciate that you are all interested but for him this is the end," said Ed Jew's attorney Stuart Hanlon.

Jew is scheduled to report July 1st to serve his sentences.

>> Bay Area Public Corruption Hotline: 1-800-376-5991
>> ABC7 I-TEAM tip line: 1-888-40-I-TEAM

Read more about Ed Jew on the I-Team Blog