San Francisco Ethics Commission continues hearing on removal of Sheriff Mercarini after testimony on texts, media strategy and weapons

The San Francisco Ethics Commission held a continued special hearing on official-misconduct charges against Sheriff Mercarini, hearing hours of testimony from the sheriff and later from Mayor Ed Lee about communications, media planning and the legal basis for removal.

Under questioning, Sheriff Mercarini described a string of phone calls and text messages on January 4 that he said he did not initiate to influence the investigation into an incident involving his wife. Counsel introduced exhibit 83, a compilation of AT&T phone records and text logs the mayor—s office provided, and reviewed a 9:33 a.m. call, a 12:03 p.m. text the sheriff sent to his wife, and later messages from Lynette Peralta Haynes urging the sheriff to "call me" and saying she needed to "protect you." The sheriff denied seeing the Peralta Haynes messages before speaking with his wife and said his communications with Peralta Haynes before Jan. 4 were "very minimal" and related to campaign and transition matters.

The commission also reviewed January 12 text exchanges between the sheriff and Peralta Haynes (exhibit 81). The sheriff confirmed he sent a message saying he felt "guilty until proven innocent" and that he had discussed with Peralta Haynes the idea of…