SF sheriff charged with official misconduct

By Paul Elias

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 21 2012 3:42 p.m. MDT

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Newly named Interim San Francisco Sheriff Vicki Hennessy speaks beside Mayor Ed Lee during a news conference Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in San Francisco. Lee announced the appointment after Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi refused to step down over a domestic violence case. A judge on Monday sentenced Mirkarimi to three years of probation and a year of counseling after the sheriff pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false imprisonment.

Ben Margot, Associated Press

Summary

San Francisco's mayor has charged Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi with official misconduct stemming from his guilty plea in a domestic violence case involving his Venezuelan actress wife.

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco's mayor has charged Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi with official misconduct stemming from his guilty plea in a domestic violence case involving his Venezuelan actress wife.

Mayor Ed Lee filed the charge Wednesday afternoon, a day after he announced that he would place Mirkarimi on suspension.

Lee said the sheriff's guilty plea to a misdemeanor false imprisonment charge fell "below the standards of decency and good faith."

A New Year's Eve dispute between the sheriff and his wife, Eliana Lopez, in front of their toddler son left her with a bruise on her arm.

Lee had given Mirkarimi the option of resigning or facing the misconduct probe. A defiant Mirkarimi refused to step down, saying his actions did not constitute official misconduct.

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