This article comes to us courtesy of SF Weekly's The Snitch.
Local blogger Michael Petrelis says he was arrested Thursday after he snapped a photo of his San Francisco nemesis Supervisor Scott Wiener in the men's bathroom at City Hall.
Petrelis first informed the public of the drama on his personal blog, the Petrelis Files, where he explained how he was intending to get a graphic picture of Supervisor Wiener, who spearheaded the ban on public nudity, as he used the urinal at City Hall. But all he got was a G-rated shot of Wiener's dental hygiene habits.
Per the blog, dated Oct. 27:
My new camera was ready for use in the second floor men's room at City Hall on Friday afternoon when I walked in. Scott Wiener was standing at the urinal and had just started to tinkle as I entered and the camera took 4-6 seconds to focus, enough time for him to put away his wiener and zipper up.
The only photo I caught was of him grabbing his toothbrush from the wash basin. He sighed heavily and with exasperation having to not only have to interact with me, but in a restroom and with a camera going off. I made small talk the beautiful day and he left in a huff.
Petrelis posted an update to this blog, informing readers that he was being investigated by the Sheriff's Department over his tacky photo etiquette; it seems Supervisor Wiener had filed a complaint, which led to Petrelis' subsequent arrest (technically, he turned himself in).
In any event, the DA claims Petrelis broke Section 647(j) sub-section (1) of the penal code, which states the following:
(j) (1) Any person who looks through a hole or opening, into, or otherwise views, by means of any instrumentality, including, but not limited to, a periscope, telescope, binoculars, camera, motion picture camera, camcorder, or mobile phone, the interior of a bedroom, bathroom, changing room, fitting room, dressing room, or tanning booth, or the interior of any other area in which the occupant has a reasonable expectation of privacy, with the intent to invade the privacy of a person or persons inside. This subdivision shall not apply to those areas of a private business used to count currency or other negotiable instruments.
Petrelis is expected to appear in court on Dec. 5.
Supervisor Scott Wiener e-mailed us the following statement:
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