DETROIT — Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is currently facing accusations of sexual misconduct with his former chief of staff, said Friday that the scandal has not interfered with the city’s ability to operate.

Kilpatrick admitted that the scandal over illicit text messages he exchanged with his former employee, Christine Beatty, had tarnished the image of the city. However, he said that the city’s functioning has not been affected.

The comments came during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a refurbished trash drop-off facility.

Meanwhile, Kilpatrick named Kandia Milton to replace Beatty as his chief of staff on Jan. 29. Beatty had resigned the day before.

A prosecutor is investigating whether Kilpatrick lied under oath during a whistleblower’s lawsuit last summer. During that trial, Kilpatrick denied his sexual tryst with Beatty.

He has since publicly apologized for non-specific misconduct, saying that legal matters prevented him from saying for what, exactly, he was apologizing.