Lee, board facing heat from every direction

Decision on sheriff's fate could shadow campaigns

An official misconduct charge against embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi would suck the political oxygen out of City Hall over the coming months and test Mayor Ed Lee's reputation as a get-along mayor, political observers said.

It also would put tremendous pressure on the Board of Supervisors at a time when five of the 11 members are standing for election in November. The board would serve as the tribunal that decides whether to uphold the misconduct charge and remove Mirkarimi from office.

The decision to pursue a misconduct case would be one of Lee's most important since he was sworn in as mayor 14 months ago. He said he would make up his mind after Mirkarimi's scheduled sentencing Monday for misdemeanor false imprisonment of his wife, a crime he pleaded guilty to last week.

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It's been stated that Lee has been consulting with City Attorney Dennis Herrera. Mr. Herrera ran against him for mayor and might again do so in 2015.

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