Angela Cavillo, the estranged wife of former Port of San Francisco executive director Elaine Forbes, visited Forbes in custody on Monday following her arrest on suspicion of felony burglary. Forbes was found aboard a 75-foot yacht in Sausalito early Saturday morning.
Cavillo, who serves as the clerk of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, rushed to see Forbes after the incident, but did not post bail for her release. Forbes and Cavillo were a prominent couple in San Francisco for years, with Cavillo holding a significant role in city politics and Forbes leading the Port of San Francisco. The couple separated in September 2022 and began divorce proceedings in early 2023.
Forbes resigned from her position at the Port of San Francisco in September 2025, a move that surprised political observers. Records indicate that Forbes and Cavillo agreed to a property settlement in October 2023, which divided two Bay Area homes and included a six-figure payment from Forbes to Cavillo. Forbes retained their San Francisco home, valued at $1.7 million, while Cavillo kept a lake house in Auburn, valued at $554,000. The settlement also stipulated that Forbes would reimburse Cavillo for certain expenses and award Cavillo sole ownership of a BMW, with Forbes making a net equalization payment of $242,500.
Forbes was recently hired as Sausalito's city manager, a role that comes with a $275,000 annual salary. This position began just weeks before her arrest. The Sausalito City Council placed Forbes on administrative leave days prior to the arrest for undisclosed reasons.
Authorities reported that the yacht's alarm began blaring around dawn on Saturday, leading to the discovery of Forbes aboard the vessel. Investigators allege she initially claimed ownership of the boat before the owner confirmed she lacked permission to be onboard. She was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony burglary and was being held on $50,000 bail. However, Forbes and her legal counsel opted not to seek bail at this time.
Sam Singer, a spokesperson for Forbes' family, stated that she is experiencing a mental health crisis and requested that judgment be withheld based on limited information. The yacht's captain, Bill Aubrey, reported finding empty bottles of vodka and tequila on board and described Forbes as calm and cordial upon their encounter, noting her demeanor was "normal, friendly."