Oakland Council Split Over Proposed $1m Fine for Nigerian-Born Property Owner
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A heated debate has emerged in Oakland after city officials failed to reach a decision on whether to impose a $1 million fine on a Nigerian-born resident accused of illegally removing protected trees.
The case centers on Matthew Bernard, who, along with his partner Lynn Warner, cleared dozens of mature trees from a hillside property between 2021 and 2022. City arborists say the trees were removed without permits and extended beyond his property to nearby public and private land.
Environmental advocates have urged authorities to enforce the maximum penalty, arguing that strong action is necessary to deter similar violations and protect the city’s ecosystem. They maintain that the scale of the tree removal undermines conservation efforts in the area.
However, the issue has taken a political turn. Councilmember Carroll Fife questioned whether imposing such a steep fine would unfairly target a Black immigrant, raising concerns about racial disparities in enforcement. She argued that similar actions in the past may not have attracted the same level of scrutiny.
Bernard defended his actions, stating that the trees were removed following professional advice due to potential wildfire risks. He insisted that the intention was to prepare the land for residential development while addressing safety concerns.
Not all council members agree. Janani Ramachandran pushed for strict enforcement, dismissing wildfire prevention as a justification and stressing that healthy trees often help reduce fire risks. She described the removal as a clear violation of city regulations.
Other officials, including Ken Houston, supported a more measured response. While acknowledging the wrongdoing, they cautioned against imposing a penalty that could hinder development of the now-cleared property.
Voting on the matter ended in a deadlock, with council members evenly divided on both the proposed $1 million fine and a reduced penalty option. The absence of one council member contributed to the tie.
With no resolution reached, Barbara Lee declined to intervene, leaving the final decision postponed. The council is expected to revisit the issue at a later meeting in early May.
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