Hearing to begin for suspended SF sheriff

SAN FRANCSICO (AP) -- San Francisco's ethics commission is scheduled to begin hearing testimony in the city's misconduct case against Ross Mirkarimi, the suspended sheriff removed from his job after being charged with domestic violence.

The commission hearing on Monday comes after a San Francisco judge last week refused Mirkarimi's request to toss the city's misconduct case and reinstate him.

The former city supervisor and recently elected sheriff, Mirkarimi last month pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor false imprisonment after being accused of bruising the arm of his wife, Venezuelan actress Eliana Lopez, during a dispute on New Year's Eve.

The ethics commission will issue a recommendation to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, who will make the final decision as to whether Mirkarimi should be allowed to resume his job.