It's safe to say 2012 has not been kind to Ross Mirkarimi.
In the past four weeks, San Francisco's newly-elected sheriff has gone from a celebrated local politician with an army of loyal constituents to a national disgrace. He's been publicly shamed, ripped to shreds by pundits and barred -- twice -- from seeing his wife and young child. And the man takes a perplexingly terrible mug shot.
As a longtime resident of the Haight, I've been a fan of Mirkarimi, my progressive former District 5 Supervisor, for ages. The gregarious politico champions causes like marijuana legalization and equal rights for homeless people; issues near and dear to my heart. I met him one Sunday morning as he shook hands with residents along the panhandle, and I felt more than a little starstruck by my supe's booming presence. Sure, he wasn't the best listener I'd ever encountered (I had to repeat my job title at least three times even after we'd discussed a recent HuffPost profile of his sheriff's campaign), but his enthusiasm, charisma and Crest White Strips grin made up for it. I mean, the man never once averted his bespectacled eyes from my admiring gaze. The sign of a true politician.
And now, sadly, I count myself among the ranks of San Franciscans who believe the time has come for our sheriff to step aside. At least until this whole mess resolves itself.
A brief recap, for those of you who haven't been hanging onto every juicy detail as it unfolds:
Earlier this year, the sheriff's lovely wife, former Venezuelan telenovela star Eliana Lopez (of "Amor a Palos" fame), visited neighbor and family friend Ivory Madison, who helped coordinate campaign events for Mirkarimi last fall. During their conversation, Lopez confided in Madison that her husband forcefully grabbed her arm during a violent argument, creating a big bruise ("Daddy made a boo-boo on Mommy's arm," their two-year-old son, Theo, allegedly said at the time). Though Lopez swore her friend to secrecy, Madison videotaped the entire encounter to use as evidence should a custody battle ever ensue between the couple.
Then Madison made one phone call to the local police department, the media latched onto the story, and Mirkarimi's reputation went down the self-composting toilet.
First came a police investigation. Next an awkward swearing-in ceremony during which the officiator, Judge Katherine Feinstein (yes, that Feinstein), refused to parktake. Then the District Attorney's office formally charged the sheriff with three misdemeanor counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment and dissuading a witness. Then another former lover came forward alleging abuse, with rumors of a third on the way. Then Mirkarimi's lawyer went on record calling the sheriff a "tyrant" and the pair parted ways. Finally, during his arraignment, the court barred him from making contact with his wife and his son until the trial resolved, despite tearful pleas from Lopez herself to reverse the order.
Local and national commentators weren't shy with their opinions, and the chorus of cries for Mirkarimi's resignation grew louder and louder until it completely drowned out his steadfast claims of innocence.
Meanwhile, a series of bizarre tidbits have emerged along the way, making the plot thicker than an episode of "Amor a Palos." Before Mirkarimi was formally charged, a group of anti-domestic violence activists staged a rally outside City Hall calling for his immediate resignation. Spotted among the crowd, otherwise incognito behind a pair of huge sunglasses? Lopez herself, who has publicly maintained her husband's innocence throughout the entire debacle despite a mounting wealth of evidence, including pages of personal emails and text messages with confidantes, that suggests the contrary.
The second alleged victim to come forward, Christina Flores, also raised a few eyebrows when SF Weekly revealed she used to be married to the SFPD domestic violence response team inspector. According to Flores, Mirkarimi bruised her arm during an argument as well. The sheriff ultimately ended their relationship after Lopez, whom he was involved with at the same time, became pregnant with their son.
Sobbing through an interview with Venezuelan radio station Noticias 24, Lopez claimed her husband was a victim of "very dirty politics." Indeed, the sheriff's long record as a progressive often placed him at odds with California's most powerful legislators. And Mirkarimi and San Francisco's more conservative DA George Gascon, who's leading the charges, have a history of political animosity. His takedown has played out in an almost pitch-perfect symphony of events, should his rivals actually be out to get him.
So what to make of all this?
At worst, our newly-elected sheriff subjected his wife to ongoing physical and psychological abuse, including particularly disturbing revelations that suggest he controlled her access to food and kept her in isolation. At best, my former favorite supervisor has a tendency to be hot-tempered with his subordinates.
I rarely agree with resident Chronicle curmudgeon C.W. Nevius, but I must join him in saying the best thing for both Mirkarimi and his family would be for the sheriff to take a leave of absence until the storm passes. At the very least, San Francisco will have less of a reason to hate him if he's ultimately proven innocent.
The whole thing ultimately just makes me want to take a long shower. I feel dirty being privy to the intimate details of Mirkarimi's dark personal life. Shouldn't the man be entitled to at least a little bit of privacy when slapped with such loaded charges, despite his stubborn refusal to step aside? A young child's well-being is at stake.
And yet as HuffPost SF's editor, it's my job to amplify the important parts of the tale to a much larger audience. So I'll continue to comb the Internet for every nugget between now and February 24, when his trial begins.
I'm having an existential crisis, Sheriff, and it's all your fault. (Or is it?)
Yes, these allegations are extremely troubling. No, a criminal certainly shouldn't serve as a city's top law enforcement official. Yes, politicians automatically expose themselves to public scrutiny the day they decide to run for office.
Maybe it's my District Five loyalty talking, but I have to admit I feel kinda bad for the guy.
Follow Carly Schwartz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/carlicita
A leave of absence, for those misdemeanor allegations, will certainly be interpreted by C.W. Nevius as a sign of guilt anyway, as the old saying goes: Damn if you do, and Damn if you don't. This journalist seems to have an agenda, which does not include the presumption of innocence.
When you mention that Eliana Lopez was spotted behind a group of activist at city hall, it's is a non issue, she happened to be there that day and out of curiosity walked to the back of the group, interestingly none of those activists seemed to be concerned at all, by her presence.
You say: "our newly-elected sheriff subjected his wife to ongoing physical and psychological abuse, including particularly disturbing revelations that suggest he controlled her access to food and kept her in isolation."
This is totally preposterous, a frivolous charge thrown out there in the hope it will stick.
You say: " So I'll continue to comb the Internet for every nugget between now and February 24, when his trial begins."
That's the spirit, but not only the internet, be an investigative journalist, there are so many unanswered questions about this case, here's a few:
Why did Ivory Madison wait 4 days to call the authorities? Did Ivory Madison suggest that a video should be made, did she write a script? did they rehearse any of it? Did Christine Marie and Ivory M know each other prior to January 1rst 2012? if so did they communicate with each other during those 4 days? etc .. etc ...
We are looking forward for the testimony of the prosecution expert who will argue that Women lie in DV cases, meaning that Eliana Lopez is "lying" when she says that the system is destroying her family, and that she does not fear her husband at all.
Smart and educated woman should be concerned by the thought that they would be considered to be lying when telling the truth, by a tribunal that was designed to protect them.
On the other hand, if someone game the system to gain an advantage, as per example in a divorce case, and frivolously file a DV complaint, will the court in those cases even consider that the alledge victim is lying?
Violence against Women is a serious issue, the system in it's present form does not work and needs to be reformed.
I suggest that writer prove her claim that "Lopez was spotted among those demanding Mirkarimi resign"? Do journalists get to make any accusation of claim without proof and be taken seriously.
Then she moves on to moch Mirkarimi for his "Crest white smile". I gess having a while smile is a sure proof of being a voilent abuser to some.
More importantly she sites the judge's refusal to let him see his son. But does not mention the report by department of Child Protective Services investigation. One that found no sign of abouse. Which also reported the boy is being harmed by not being with his father.
Who should I believe a judge who used to be a prosecutor; the DA or department of Child Protective Services. Who did an investigation and who did not. Personally I take the Child experts much more seriously given their specialization and that they did an actual investigation.
Who much does this reporter know. Did she interview Lopez; Mirkarimi or Child Protective people? Or is she just writing an article based on nothing.
Press freedom is a wonderful thing and I will always defend it. But it is a shame to see it used this way.
1) Go to the store and get something to eat.
2) Order delivery
3) Go to her "friend" and ask for something.
If all failed phone the police and complain.
Ross alleged said something “to the effect” that Lopez didn’t deserve to eat. En route to a restaurant, the couple argued about custody, and Ross drove home. Do they keep no food in the house? Does Lopez not drive or have money or a phone or a credit card? Is it possible that Ross said something entirely different that got lost in four steps of translation? Boorish behavior, maybe. “Controlling access to food?” No.
Monterrey text message, same issues. Lopez has no phone, car, money? Did the text instead read: “took us out to eat a lot?” or “took us to a lot of nice restaurants?” Same regarding isolation allegations. In their house? No phone? Any evidence this happened at all?
I don’t know the truth of it, but Eliana Lopez, a successful actress and intelligent and powerful woman, says there was no abuse. Reading between lines, the couple appears worried about an international custody fight should there be separation. That is a better explanation of the alleged facts and the couple’s actions than the DA's wild inventions.
People who are abusive , have a way of making themselves the victim . The media , the government, my wife is making false accusations. I had a few beers. It's the football results for the day.( There are many more D.V. calls on sporting events, because men thinks o.k. to take it out on there spouses because there team lost, check the statistics.)
They are the perps.
Three women have come foward to say he IS abusive. Does he have to kill or dismember some one for us to believe these women.
Why is it we believe him, over the women who has been abused ? Is it because he was a city official?
Look at Dan White . Do we really need another good old boy.??????????
I am a born an raised San Franciscian, I say step down or be recalled.
Here in California domestic violence arrests and prosecutions take priority for prosecutors while they ignore more serious crimes. Funding is given to counties based on the amount of domestic violence arrests they can make. Incentivising police to arrest people is always a bad idea.
It might make people feel better when they hear domestic violence is a priority for law enforcement but the sad reality is that it's just another excuse for the government to be in your home, and wiping away people's careers and finances with the stroke of a pen without ever having to prove you did a thing.
But when there is evidence of physical violence and a history of other violence, the person who did the harm has to go to jail. Even if she(he) pushed your buttons and knew she was pushing your buttons, so did you. If you can't control yourself, leave. If your wife is hitting you, and it often happens, report it to the District Attorney. You aren't the first one.
The reason Domestic Violence takes priority is that it eventually leads to murder. It is that simple. In San Mateo County just South of here, victims are not permitted to drop the charges. The County refuses to be a party to murder, and the victims are dragged into court and forced to testify. It is better to make a man face up to his problem when he is being violent with his wife or girlfriend, and maybe save him from a charge of murder. Force him to get the help he needs.
How about someone "alleges" you were violent against your partner. You both denied it. Should you be separated against your will? Is this the Soviet Union?
What is evidence? A video of a bruise which may be due to anything. Or allegation made in private not under oath then retracted under oath. That is no evidence at all.
I am all for protecting people but at some point government goes too far.
Adults should be allowed to choose who they want to be with.
It is none of your or my business.
Please enlighten me to why you said "man" and not a person.
By the way Lopez never filed charges so why is there a question of dropping them. A neighbor did and Lopez denied it. When Lopez spoke to Ivory she was not under oath. She may well have lied and it was perfectly legal. Now under oath Lopez must tell the truth and that may be just what she id doing. Now they have "victims dragged into court and forced to testify"; wow! It is pretty obvious to me who is doing the violence. It is the DA and the California legal system.
It appears that Ross and his family need help, counseling and support, not continued speculation, mean spirited criticism and venom.
Resigning would be the same as admitting guilt, something that hasn't been proven and something that I don't believe, despite the longings of his political enemies.
I continue to support Ross and hope he can get past this soon.
Sincerely,
David Elliott Lewis
Suppression of Evidence is base as a legal tactic. All of San Francisco can see thru the Sheriff's tactics, regardless of what went on in the Mirkarimi home, and apparently into the street, as witnessed by his child and the neighbors. (deep sigh) I will not allow any re-write of the factual history here. This is not some continued speculation when Ross Mirkarimi himself was who called out into the street for his wife to come back in the house after the violence. When I Pointed out that none of us should ever tolerate any Domestic Violence, that clear statement is not mean spirited or venomous. You either support Violence or you don't.
The Mirkarimi violence took place when Ross's actions went down, and this is now the festering boil on all of San Francisco. Mirkarimi's addiction to Power and Control now damage us all. Mirkarimi's political career is toast. What's next in this Soap Opera? A predictable motion for a change of venue? More motions for suppression of evidence? More legal attacks by the Mirkarimi Defense upon the other two previous victims, who have both demonstrated the courage to stand up and witness against Domestic Violence? The 'political enemy' rouge, is the cheap speculation, mean spirited criticism of witnesses and political venom. San Francisco is the victim now, whether he resigns, or is convicted, or both.
Who is this person that you have met that designed the current DV program? Name and Source please. thanks Paul.
papers like the London Mail. Indecsion and denial are running rampant from the sheriff to the
mayor.
As for the victim its hard to have empathy for someone who makes classist statements like
“I am not a little Indian girl gringo victim,'' and then questions the motives of the friend she confided
in repeatedly.
There is so much more to this than you can get from cherry picking other news stories.