Newsom’s PlumpJack Group got a plump $2.9 million in PPP loans for its high-end wineries and restaurants, which is eight times higher than what was originally reported.

The dirty laundry from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s French Laundry dinner scandal is more about poor optics than actual protocol violations, as the whole thing was arguably legal and compliant, but a bad look when Newsom was asking us to avoid doing exactly that kind of thing. Now Newsom has another uncomfortable revelation for which he could technically argue that is all legal, but that the court of public opinion may not take kindly to, as KGO reports that Newsom’s PlumpJack Group received $3 million in PPP loans for its nine wineries, restaurants, and bars.

That sum is eight times higher than the mere $350,000 that the Small Business Administration (SBA) initially reported, which is not necessarily Newsom’s fault. The SBA releases data when they release it. Further, Newsom has put all his holdings in a blind trust, there’s no evidence he meddled to get the generous loans. But it certainly seems odd that PlumpJack entity Villa Encinal Partners LP received $918,000 — more than any other California winery — despite having a mere 14 employees.

"It's unexpected for a 14 employee organization to get nearly $1 million," Project on Government Oversight senior policy analyst Sean Moulton told KGO. "The purpose behind this program was to save entry-level jobs, people going in and working on that paycheck. That was what we put this out there for, to stop unemployment."

KGO has the complete list of PlumpJack entities that received various PPP loan sums. Here in San Francisco, those loans were awarded to Balboa Cafe ($506,799), PlumpJack Wines & Spirits ($337,062), the PlumpJack Foundation ($138,787), SOMA Lounge ($87,400), Sunset Bar ($82,391), and White Rabbit ($72,059).  

Sure, these restaurants and entities have employees, and their business is sharply down. But some of these restaurants have billionaire Getty investors, too. So yes, it is legal for any qualifying company to get PPP loan money. But you try telling Farallon, Tacolicious, Mozzeria, or the long list of other COVID-19 restaurant casualties why billionaire Getty-funded restaurants deserved more PPP loan support than them.  

Related: Newsom Announces 10 PM Curfew For 41 Counties In 'Purple' Tier [SFist]

Image: @GavinNewsom via Twitter

Ok. Here we go. We're going to attempt this post without fainting. And, if talk of blood makes you just as queasy, you might want to brace. See, Gavin Newsom/The PlumpJack Group's semi-annual "Burger for a Pint" blood drive kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco. (Ugh, we're getting tingly now.) If you donate a heaping pint of your viscous, crimson bodily fluid, you will be rewarded with one free Balboa Burger and fries compliments of Balboa Cafe. (Deep abdominal breaths, stretching.)

According Balboa Cafe's Facebook page: "Those who donate blood at the Blood Centers of the Pacific mobile donation center outside the restaurant receive a certificate for a complimentary burger, which can be redeemed over the next week." (Stepping away from the laptop; brief walk around SFist HQ.)

You can simply show up to 3199 Fillmore (SF) or 38 Miller Avenue (Mill Valley), or "visit www.bloodheroes.com and enter the sponsor code 'Balboa-SF' or 'Balboa-MV,'" depending on where you want to donate your life juice.

Date, time:
San Francisco: Thursday, April 21, 2010, 1 - 7 p.m.
Mill Valley: Thursday, April 28, 2010, 1 - 7 p.m.

Visiting the Bay Area to attend the Standford-USC football game, Kellen Spani, a senior majoring in business administration and Pi Kappa Alpha brethren, was stabbed outside PlumpJack Balboa Bar in the Marina early Saturday morning. Spani, it seems, was coming to the aid of a friend when he took a blade to the gut. He is expected to live and be back at school after Thanksgiving. The two suspects involved in the stabbing, however, have been booked on charges of attempted murder, each facing felony charges.