Regarding his Fazio-free residency case, Ed Jew's attorney Stuart Hanlon came to court minus one Mr. Jew today. According the SF Examiner, Hanlon told reporters that "Mr. Jew is not here today...he’s confident. He's working in his flower shop. He’s confident, I’m confident...[b]ut I need more time to get ready." This begs the questions, does he also have confidence in sunshine? Does he have confidence in rain?

Also, Ed's working at his flower shop now? Huh. Cool. And good for him. Although we do hope he's able to adequately water the begonia and gardenias during this frosty time of year. And a hundred gold stars goes to any SFist reader who manages to snap an image of the old Jewster putting together a lovely holiday-themed bouquet.

Image credit: Susan Atkins

Oh, Ed. Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed. This does not seem speedy like you promised. Then again, you promised a lot of things. Sigh.

After yesterday's whopping indictment by a federal grand jury, "[s]uspended San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in the city today to expanded federal charges of mail fraud, bribery and extortion," according to the Examiner.

Outside the Federal Building courthouse this morning, Jew's attorney said, "he didn’t do it.” He also couldn't provide details of defense arguments. Man, this is just getting sad.

It is done.

According to the Chronicle, a "federal grand jury indicted suspended San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew today on charges of soliciting $80,000 in bribes from local businesses by threatening their city permits."

Jew was indicted on charges mail fraud, bribery, and extortion (i.e., his plan to bribe Quickly owners with licensing problems.) Other bits of downfall glory include such antics as accepting $4,000 (in cash!) from the owners of Wonderful Desserts and Cafe, and...well, you know how the story goes.

Charlene Thornton, special agent in charge of the FBI's San Francisco office, goes on to tell the Chronicle, "[w]hen public servants betray the people's trust for the sake of personal gain, they deeply wound the democratic principles upon which this society is founded." Alas.

As of now his lawyers are mute with regards to any public statement. Disgraced supervisor Ed Jew will be arraigned on the indictment tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

Read more about it here, here, and here.

The supernatural forces behind the Ed Jew storyline are not pleased with Halloween and earthquakes hogging all of the attention. As of today, Ed Jew officially has his fourth legal suit brought up against him. After asking Jerry Brown if he could get all litigious on Jew a few months ago, today SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera finally filed the lawsuit we've all been waiting for -- or not -- that he didn't live where he was supposed to live when he ran in 2006 and took office in early 2007.

According to the Chron, "if Herrera wins his lawsuit, the proceedings before the Ethics Commission and Board of Supervisors would be moot. Jew would still face the state and federal criminal charges." So...there you go, your Ed Jew fix.

Bill Fazio, Jew's attorney, is now saying that Ed will not accept the plea bargain, because the deal would have Jew stepping down as supervisor. Fazio goes on to tell the Chronicle, "[t]hat is the most crucial concern he has." Really? Because his sanity seems to be the bigger issue at this point.

If Ed respects any of the people who voted him into office, why won't he step down? Like, now? And get this over with.

Springing forth from SF's thigh, a new power couple is born: Savage Jew.

Wednesday, Ed Jew appeared on hyperbolic grandpa/genius performance artist Michael Savage's show, The Savage Nation.

Jew discussed why left-leaning views also deserve First Amendment protection and his decision to vote against Sandoval's proposed resolution to get Savage to use his inside voice. Along with his attorney Steven Gruel, Jew also blathered on about his own legal woes. (Maybe you've heard about them?)

Naturally, steam shot out of Sandoval's ears after hearing word that Jew went on Savage's show, saying that Jew "seems to be oblivious to a lot of things going on around him." Dude, totally.

On Monday, Jew will announce his plea on the nine felony counts brought against him, or drive while Vicodin swims through his veins, or slap a meter maid, or...who knows he'll do next!

On July 5, after Savage predictably asked that students undergoing a weeklong fast for immigration reform (and, bonus, to slim down a few sizes) "fast until they starve to death," Sandoval went into action/wasted tax payers' time. But it looks like free speech reared its vile head again, according to Jew, who shot it down.

Curses again, First Amendment, you rat bastard.

Anyway, today, for some reason, "community organizations and immigrant rights groups have scheduled a vigil to take place in front of the KNEW station offices in San Francisco, urging the termination of Michael Savage’s show." So, bring your favorite pitchfork and Bic those torches, kids.

Also, is it true that Savage hangs out in North Beach, screaming at Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other formerly-famous passersby? Is there footage of this ranting available? Because we'd pay loads for such nuttiness. See, our former, cherished roommate used to listen to Savage for kicks during dinner hour, and the talk show host came across like the Bambi Lake of North Beach. He sounds like he might be one crazy-entertaining brunch guest, someone with whom we'd just love to go to Lime.

Well, maybe if he didn't wish AIDS upon us, that is.

Sorry, readers -- Rita's not around today -- hope you can enjoy this Ed Jew update nonetheless!

Still not a lot of info on Ed Jew's prelim court proceedings, but there is a new tidbit, a small glimpse behind the Tapioca Curtain. NBC11's Web site is telling of the Postal Inspector's testimony that Mr. Jew only received third-class mail at his Sunset residence! His Burlingame estate, on the other hand, was subject to both first-class and third-class deliveries.

(Oh, cool, the Chron posted on it too as we were writing this).

According to the Postal Inspector, the letter carrier that served Jew's Sunset place said that mail would pile up for weeks.

See, third-class mail, or, as we'd call it, "junk mail, is the stuff that's always addressed to "resident" or "occupant." Maybe it piled up because Mr. Jew didn't realize that "resident/occupant" referred to him, and thus just left it in the mailbox? Just a thought.