- Matthew Bernard, a Nigerian-born medical doctor, is facing a potential $1 million fine after felling 38 mature, protected trees on his property and adjacent public land in Oakland, California.
- The Oakland City Council is currently deadlocked over the penalty, with some members citing racial inequity and historical bias, while others insist on strict adherence to environmental laws.
- Two separate votes to finalize the fine at $1 million and a reduced $411,000 both ended in ties, pushing the final decision to a future meeting on May 5, 2026.
A Nigerian medical professional based in the United States, Dr. Matthew Bernard, has become the center of a high-stakes environmental and racial debate in Oakland, California.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Oakland City Council is currently deliberating whether to impose a maximum penalty of $1 million for the unauthorized removal of 38 protected trees.
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The trees were removed between 2021 and 2022 from a plot owned by Bernard and his partner, Lynn Warner, in the upscale Oakland Hills.
Arborists and city officials allege the clearing extended beyond the couple’s private property onto public land and neighboring plots, constituting a major breach of local environmental regulations.
Dr. Bernard, who moved to the U.S. in 2001, defended his actions before the council, stating that he acted on the advice of an arborist who warned that the trees posed a significant wildfire risk.
He maintained that his intentions were rooted in safety and “good faith” compliance. However, city officials countered that healthy oak trees are generally fire-resistant and emphasized that no permits were obtained for the felling.
The hearing took a sharp turn into racial politics when Council Member Carroll Fife spoke in Bernard’s defense.
Fife expressed concern that a Black man was being targeted for a record-breaking fine for actions she claimed had historically gone unpunished when committed by white residents.
She highlighted the Oakland Hills’ history as an area developed primarily for white residents, suggesting a double standard in enforcement.
Conversely, Council Member Janani Ramachandran criticized this defense as “offensive,” arguing that the environmental impact of the “blatant violation” must take precedence over the identity of the property owner.
The council remains split, with the Mayor declining to intervene and break the deadlock.
Environmental groups continue to lobby for the maximum fine to prevent a precedent of “environmental degradation” in urban forests. The fate of Dr. Bernard’s finances and property now rests on the upcoming May 5 meeting.
