Berkeley Rent Board Member Faces Felony Charges

BERKELEY, Calif. Sep.27 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- Berkeley rent board member Chris Kavanaugh is out on bail facing some of the same felony charges hanging over San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew. Kavanaugh says he is not guilty of lying about where he lives, in order to hold office. He's facing five felony counts.

"One of the charges is perjury, I can't go beyond that," says prosecutor Trevor White.

"They're alleging he filled out some documents incorrectly. So far, we just have entered a plea of not guilty and waived time to go to the end of October," says James Giller, Kavanagh's attorney.

Prosecutors claim Kavanagh listed a Dwight Way address in Berkeley as his residence when he was reelected to the rent board last year, but didn't actually live there.

"The district attorney is claiming he was only living in Oakland. Mr. Kavanagh told me and board members that he was living in Berkeley but spent a lot of time in Oakland because that's where his girlfriend lived," said Jay Kelekian, Berkeley Rent Board Director.

"I see him in and out everyday...yeah he lives here," says Raymond Tidd, Oakland landlord's son.

Kavanagh is also charged with grand theft related to the $500-dollar monthly stipend and health benefits he received as a board member.

Suspicions about where he lived first arose in 2002, when the rent board director says an anonymous complaint led to city investigation, with evidence being turned over the to the district attorney.

Recently, there was an eviction action which resulted in the district attorney reopening the investigation.

Kavanagh is out on $30,000 bail and will be back in court on October 26.

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