Conflict of Interest Controversy
While serving as a public defender in San Francisco, Gonzalez took a month-long paid leave of absence to act as co-counsel for a corporation, Cobra Solutions, in its $16 million lawsuit against San Francisco, Gonzalez's employer. In the lawsuit, Gonzalez gave the opening arguments and cross-examined witnesses. The San Francisco Public Defender's office rules of ethics states: "No employee may provide legal advice or legal representation...to any person or entity other than in the employee's official capacity." Said Peter Keene, former chief assistant public defender and dean emeritus at the Golden Gate University Law School, "I'm totally flabbergasted. It is totally out of line. It is not only a complete conflict, it flies in the face of your loyalty to your main employer, the city. Matt shouldn't be doing it."
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