(San Francisco) Mayor says he'll suspend Mirkarimi as sheriff

[Newsjock]

Last edited Tue Mar 20, 2012, 08:40 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Mayor Ed Lee is suspending Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi from his post, the first step toward removing him from office permanently for official misconduct.

"He has chosen not to resign and now I must act," Lee said in a 5 p.m. news conference today. He said the sheriff's actions "fell below the standard of decency and good faith" needed for public officials.

Mirkarimi pleaded guilty last week to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment for an incident involving his wife on New Year's Eve.

Lee named Vicki Hennessy to serve as interim sheriff. Hennessy last ran the Department of Emergency Management after a career in the Sheriff's Department, where she retired as chief deputy.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/20/MNKP1NNI9F.DTL&tsp=1

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Earlier story: Embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi will not resign his position after Mayor Ed Lee gave him the option to resign or face official misconduct charges, his lawyer told The Associated Press this afternoon.

The sheriff is expected to make a statement on his plans later this afternoon.

Mirkarimi's decision means Lee will likely try to have the sheriff removed from office. Lee gave Mirkarimi until 5 p.m. today to make a decision.

Mirkarimi was sentenced Monday to three years probation, a year's worth of domestic violence intervention classes and other penalties for pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment of his wife. He met with Lee from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Monday in the mayor's office, where he was given 24 hours to make up his mind, the sources said.

Earlier story: Mayor Ed Lee gave embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi until 5 p.m. today to resign or face an official misconduct charge and the possible forced removal from office, sources told The Chronicle today.

Mirkarimi was sentenced Monday to three years probation, a year's worth of domestic violence intervention classes and other penalties for pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment of his wife. He met with Lee from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Monday in the mayor's office, where he was given 24 hours to make up his mind, the sources said.

The mayor's office said Lee is expected to make a public announcement late this afternoon.

Mirkarimi was meeting with his command staff in his City Hall Office early this afternoon, sources said. It was not clear what they were discussing but Mirkarimi did convene the meeting.

[Justice wanted]

1. Why GIVE him the chance to Resign? FIRE his ass and send a message HIS actions are not acceptable!

None of this Gray area B.S.

[RandySF]

2. Next door neighbor's version of events.

The last time I spoke to Eliana was when she called me on Jan. 4. I recognized what I thought was Ross' voice in the background as Eliana pressured me to destroy evidence and lie to the police. Then she repeatedly called Ivory, demanding that Ivory destroy the video, e-mail and texts from Eliana about the incident. I'm an attorney, but even if I were not, I would not destroy evidence, obstruct justice or lie to the police, and neither would my wife. Our criminal justice system can work only if most people follow the law and tell the truth to law enforcement.

After we refused to lie, Ross, Eliana and attorneys working for them attacked Ivory's character and motives. This included falsely accusing her of implausible criminal activity, such as being part of a vast political conspiracy to frame Ross, and practicing law without a license. They subpoenaed our confidential business and personal correspondence and the phone records of our friends. Reporters told us that Ross's attorneys were trying to feed them stories almost every day.

Among other efforts to silence my wife, a dramatic letter was delivered to us demanding that she not testify and falsely claiming that she would be acting illegally if she did so. Attorney Paula Canny, who Ross recently admitted is being paid for by him and his "legal defense fund," signed the letter.



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/20/EDUC1NN1L0.DTL#ixzz1pgh8l1jp

[The Magistrate]

3. The Sense Of Entitlement Displayed By Law Enforcement People Here, Sir

Would bring a blush to the cheeks of a Duke of the realm.

[EFerrari]

16. Ross has long been a target in SF politics.

He handed the opposition this big stick.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Unbelievable that he hadn't already stood down

Most people in a post like that would have resigned just when they were accused. To not resign when you've pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, in a violent case, is astounding. I'm surprised they can't summarily sack him for bringing the police into disrepute.

[Blue_Tires]

11. why would he if he's still getting paychecks while suspended?

[tularetom]

5. As creepy as Mirkarimi seems to be, the mayor doesn't have the right to remove him

The voters put him in office, unless he resigns only the voters can remove him. Unless there is some SF process analogous to impeachment whereby the board of supervisors can remove him I think they're stuck with him.

I believe the exception to that is if he is convicted of a felony, sentenced to prison and thus unable to perform his duties.

[RandySF]

6. The mayor cannot directly remove him.

The mayor CAN suspend him and bring the issue before the Ethics Commission. If the commission determined that he should be removed, it then goes to the Board of Supervisors who need at least 9 votes to remove him from office.

[itsrobert]

7. How does a city mayor have authority over a county position?

?

[tularetom]

8. In the "City and County of San Francisco" the mayor is the head of the executive branch

But he has no direct authority over the sheriff, who like him is an elected (not appointed) official.

The legislative body of SF is the Board of Supes. There is no City Council per se.

[EFerrari]

17. I hope Ross's attorneys ask Ed to show them his votes, while they're up. n/t

[geek tragedy]

20. How is that relevant to Mirkarimi being a wife-beating, witness-tampering thug?

I know, I know, his politics are good, so he's the real victim here . . .

[RandySF]

9. Mirk is meting with his command staff at City Hall.

Just heard from someone who works in the building.

[freshwest]

10. You're our man on the scene, almost.

[marble falls]

12. What took so damn long??????

[Broderick]

13. I should alert Mirt to this Ross fellow

They can handle him.

[freshwest]

14. Holding out for a golden parachute, no doubt.

[Newsjock]

15. Kick for new information

Mayor Ed Lee is suspending Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi from his post, the first step toward removing him from office permanently for official misconduct.

OP has been revised.

[EFerrari]

18. But none of this is political.

lol

[Throd]

19. It is political AND Mirkarimi is a scumbag. They're not mutually exclusive.