SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco's mayor has filed his opening brief with the city's Ethics Commission, as he seeks to have suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi removed from office following Mirkarimi's domestic violence conviction.

     

In the brief filed this week, Mayor Ed Lee disputed Mirkarimi's claim that he did not commit official misconduct because he was only sheriff-elect and not yet sheriff when he allegedly bruised his wife's arm on New Year's Eve. He pleaded guilty in connection with the case in March.

     

According to Lee, Mirkarimi attended numerous transition meetings with incumbent Sheriff Michael Hennessey immediately following his election and also took part in at least two confidential disciplinary hearings.

     

Lee says the official misconduct case against Mirkarimi relates directly to his role as sheriff, including his duty to discipline deputies and staff for their misconduct.

      

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