Suspended San Francisco Sheriff's Wife Headed To Venezuela

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— The wife of San Francisco's suspended Sheriff, Ross Mirkarimi, was given the green light by a judge on Friday to travel to Venezuela with the couples' son to visit her ailing father.

Eliana Lopez's desire to go to her native country, where she is a telenovela star, is reportedly what sparked the New Year's argument that led to domestic violence charges against Mirkarimi in the first place.

"She is going to Venezuela and it does say she's supposed to be back in 30 days. His political career may be in flames. His finances cut off. Meanwhile he will go to domestic counseling here," said KCBS, CBS 5 and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier.

The court order issued by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ronald Albers modifies one issued in early February and stipulates that Lopez return to the United States by April 28th and that Mirkarimi must continue to seek counseling on his own while she travels.

She and their son Theo will travel to visit her father who is reportedly undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Mirkarimi is also not allowed to return to the home he shares with his wife.

On Monday Mirkarimi was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling after he plead guilty to one count of misdemeanor false imprisonment.

On Wednesday, Mayor Ed Lee suspended Mirkarimi without pay on official misconduct charges, which will be considered by the city's Ethics Commission at an upcoming hearing. Mirkarimi now looks forward to arguing his case with the Ethics Commission and Board of Supervisors.

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