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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO -- The boyfriend of San Francisco's planning director pleaded no contest today to misdemeanor driving under the influence after he trashed the city's historic fire chief's home, drove away drunk and was pulled over in San Mateo County. Lance Farber, 48, was not present in court in South San Francisco and entered the plea through his attorney, San Mateo County prosecutors said. Farber was sentenced to three years' probation and two days in jail, one of which he has already served, Assistant District Attorney Morley Pitt said. Farber was also ordered to complete a first-offender DUI program,...

Lance Farber, the fire-starting, tomato-tossing boyfriend of new San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim, is out of jail - but only after the city took him to the cleaners. Farber, who had been sitting in jail for almost six weeks on $1 million bail, pleaded guilty last week to one count of unlawfully and recklessly starting a fire and one count of vandalism with over $400 in damage. The 47-year-old New Age chiropractor was accused of setting a bed on fire and tossing an open can of tomatoes through the city's historic fire chief's house - staining the walls -...

SAN FRANCISCO -- The attorney for the man accused of arson and vandalism in the Feb. 22 trashing of the historic San Francisco fire chief's home argued unsuccessfully for a lower bail today, saying the incident amounted to a "symbolic gesture" against the man's companion, the city's planning director. Lance Farber, 47, the domestic partner of San Francisco planning chief John Rahaim, remains in custody on $1 million bail stemming from the incident, in which a bed was set on fire and crushed tomatoes smeared on the walls of the residence at 870 Bush St. on Nob Hill. Judge Loretta...

New San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim will make his first appearance Thursday before the City Planning Commission after an unplanned and embarrassing public debut. But even before his boyfriend reportedly vandalized a city-owned residence where Rahaim was staying until he found permanent housing, he faced a tough job, negotiating his way through the minefield of San Francisco land-use politics. Current issues revolve around themes that have fueled zoning wars for decades - profits versus affordability and allowing a city to grow from within while not forcing out the working class. As Rahaim, 52, tries to renew his focus on...

Bail was set at $1 million today for the San Francisco planning director's companion, who is accused of setting fire to historic Nob Hill residence of the fire chief where the couple were living. Lance Farber, 47, pleaded not guilty to felony arson and vandalism in a brief appearance at the Hall of Justice, shortly before Superior Court Judge John Conway set bail. "I am concerned that this is a public safety issue," the judge said. Farber was ordered to return to court Friday after being evaluated for migraine headaches. His lawyer said the headaches have worsened since Farber was...