As controversy grows, Sheriff Mirkarimi sworn in privately

Eschewing a public swearing-in ceremony that had been scheduled for weeks, Ross Mirkarimi swore in as the new San Francisco County Sheriff in private event Saturday evening as the controversy regarding reports of spousal abuse continued to plague him.

The former supervisor reportedly took the oath of office during a private ceremony at City Hall Saturday night, according to spokesman Jim Stearns.

The event, which had been planned for Sunday morning since December, was re-scheduled to the night before because of what Stearns described as "scheduling issues."

The public swearing-in ceremony was still planned for 2 p.m. Sunday at the city's War Memorial Veterans Building.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco judge who was set to administer the oath during Sunday's event has declined to do so.

Feinstein, the daughter of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, had been invited to administer the oath Sunday.

But in an email to the San Francisco Chronicle, Superior Court Judge Katherine Feinstein says she didn't want to create a potential future legal conflict, should a case naming Mirkarimi be brought to her court.

 Mirkarimi was under investigation over allegations that he was involved in a domestic violence incident with his wife, Eliana Lopez, which she has denied.

According to a police affidavit, a neighbor of the couple said Lopez told her she sustained a bruise on her upper right arm when Mirkarimi grabbed her on New Year's Eve.

Ivory Madison also told police she videotaped the injury at the request of Lopez and exchanged text messages with her about the alleged domestic violence, the affidavit said.

San Francisco police turned their findings over to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office late Friday, police spokesman Albie Esparza said.

Officials in the DA's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday.

In related news, San Francisco's Mayor Ed Lee told KTVU on Friday that he planned to announce a replacement for Mirkarimi on the board of supervisors Monday.

The appointee will as the supervisor for District Five, which includes the Haight-Ashbury and Inner Sunset, and serve the remaining year left on Mirkarimi's term.   

The board of supervisors was scheduled to hold its first meeting of the New Year next Tuesday.