Elaine Forbes, the former San Francisco Port Executive Director, recently found herself in a tough situation, and her estranged wife, Angela Cavillo, stepped in following a peculiar arrest involving a yacht in Sausalito. However, it turns out Cavillo didn’t bail her out.
Cavillo, who has served as the longtime secretary of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was taken into custody on charges of grand theft after being discovered on a 75-foot yacht in Sausalito. She managed to visit Forbes during her detention on Monday.
The couple had been seen as a powerful duo in San Francisco, with Cavillo respected in city politics and Forbes recognized as a strong leader at the Port. Yet, their relationship took a turn when they separated in September 2022, and divorce talks began early in 2023. Forbes’ unexpected resignation from her port position in September 2025 shocked many in the affluent city.
Documents show that Forbes agreed to a property settlement aiming to split their two homes in the Bay Area, with a hefty payment from Forbes to Cavillo. Under a recent settlement from October 2023, Forbes kept their home in the Dolores Heights neighborhood, which they had valued at $1.7 million.
Meanwhile, Cavillo possessed a lakefront house in Auburn worth around $554,000, having contributed $90,000 for the down payment. As part of the agreement, Cavillo was to repay Forbes that amount and had a year to refinance the mortgage under her name. Cabillo would also cover $5,000 for sales-related expenses and ultimately hand over her BMW. After all was said and done, Forbes agreed to provide Cavillo with $242,500 as net equal compensation.
Despite this agreement, the divorce is still in process, and sources indicate it hasn’t been finalized yet.
Forbes was found on the yacht early Saturday, reportedly after the horn started honking at dawn. Initially, she claimed the yacht was hers, but the owner later clarified that she didn’t have permission to board. Consequently, she was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicions of grand larceny, set with a $50,000 bail, which her team opted not to pursue due to the ongoing legal situation.
This incident follows closely on the heels of Forbes starting a new role as city manager in Sausalito, at a salary of $275,000 annually, right before the City Council placed her on administrative leave without disclosing reasons.
Forbes had been noted for her nearly decade-long tenure leading the Port of San Francisco, where she managed a significant workforce and a notable waterfront redevelopment project amid widespread appreciation for her leadership.
Reports suggest that alcohol may have played a role in the events leading to her arrest, with her family saying she is currently undergoing a mental health crisis. A family spokesperson urged against hasty judgments based on partial information.
As the case unfolds, the Sausalito City Council has scheduled an internal discussion about Forbes’ situation, as city officials have not commented beyond confirming her administrative leave pending an investigation.
