Journalist Astrid Kane Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over "Stolen Goods Market" Article Amidst Ongoing Influencer Dispute

San Francisco, CA Journalist Astrid Kane is once again at the center of controversy, with The Marina Times highlighting her past reporting on a "stolen goods market in the Mission" in connection with her ongoing coverage of "influencer" Kat Ensign. The tweet, posted by The Marina Times, stated, "Not the first time Astrid 'I did my shopping at the stolen goods market in the Mission' Kane has pushed a story about so-called 'influencer' Kat Ensign." This social media post reignites discussions about Kane's journalistic practices, particularly following a contentious article published in late 2024.

The specific quote referenced by The Marina Times stems from Kane's November 2024 article in The San Francisco Standard, titled "Black Market, Black Friday: What $20 gets you at the 16th Street BART plaza." In the piece, Kane detailed her experience purchasing items, including Eucerin lotion with Walgreens stickers still affixed, from street vendors in San Francisco's Mission District. She acknowledged that "it's likely the vast majority of what you'll find at the plaza is stolen."

The article quickly drew widespread criticism for what many perceived as a glamorization of crime and a disregard for its societal impact. Critics on social media platforms, including X, expressed outrage, with one user stating, "Crazy how your writer is straight up bragging about literally committing a crime." Another commenter urged Kane to "stop glamorizing it."

The backlash prompted The San Francisco Standard to issue an editorial note, acknowledging that the story "crossed a line" and was a "mistake not just by the reporter but by the Standard's editorial team." The publication committed to implementing new procedures to prevent similar errors in judgment. Executive Editor Jon Steinberg later stated that the story "didn't meet The Standard's expectations" and they would "commit to doing better."

This recent tweet from The Marina Times suggests a pattern in Kane's reporting, linking the "stolen goods market" incident to her earlier involvement in a dispute between influencer Kat Ensign and chef Geoffrey Lee. In January 2025, Lee stepped down from his San Francisco restaurants after allegedly sending abusive messages to Ensign following her negative review of his Hamburger Project. Kane, as a senior culture editor at The San Francisco Standard, has been involved in reporting on these influencer-related controversies.

The renewed attention to Kane's "stolen goods" article by The Marina Times implies a broader critique of her approach to journalism, suggesting a tendency towards sensationalism or a lack of objective reporting, particularly when covering figures like Kat Ensign. The ongoing public discourse highlights the challenges and responsibilities of digital journalism in an era of rapid information dissemination and heightened scrutiny.