BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer
Documents obtained by the Post through a California Public Records request reveal that San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy halted San Mateo Sheriff Christina Corpus’ termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, saying it might be seen as retaliation or an attempt to interfere with an independent investigation of the Sheriff’s Office being conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, based on complaints involving Corpus’ department.
Monaghan remains an employee of the county government, according to Assistant County Attorney David Silberman.
According to Callagy’s email, Monaghan was approached by Corpus’ chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, on Sept. 17 at an event in Half Moon Bay.
Aenlle asked Monaghan whether he had spoken to Judge Cordell, and when Monaghan said he had spoken to Cordell, Aenlle allegedly stated, “When were you planning on telling us this?” Shortly thereafter, Corpus called Monaghan into her office and she fired him, saying he “could not be trusted,” according to Callagy’s email.
In his Sept. 21 email to Corpus, Callagy said “I believe that it is reasonable, on these facts, to conclude that AS Monaghan was retaliated against for his participation in Judge Cordell’s investigation into your department. This would violate the law, including the county’s own ordinance code, and could open up the county to significant litigation risk.”
“Given the foregoing, and in order to mitigate risk to the county, I have directed that AS Monaghan’s termination of employment will not be processed at this time,” Callagy wrote. Callagy reminded Corpus, “It is essential that no county officer or employee take any action to intimidate or retaliate against anyone who participates in the investigation.”
The supervisors have expanded Cordell’s investigation to include the Monaghan firing.
A day before Callagy’s email, Corpus said in a letter to Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum that she had long been planning to terminate Monaghan because of his “performance duplicity and failure to execute the goals of the Sheriff’s Office expeditiously.” She didn’t explain what she meant by “performance duplicity.” She also said that in her first meeting with Callagy after her election in 2022, he told her she had to tell him who she dated within the county.
Corpus said she felt the question was an “improper and offensive request.” In addition, she requested “…that the Board of Supervisors initiate an independent investigation into Mr. Callagy’s conduct and collusion into my office.”
She asserted in her letter that, “(A)s a woman of color who has endured sexual harassment in this very county, I was shocked and appalled by his inappropriate conduct. I cannot imagine he would have made such a request of my predecessors, all of whom were men,” However, she did not say whether she was dating another county employee.
“Since day one, Mr. Callagy has continued to overstep his authority,” Corpus wrote in her letter. “Routinely inserting himself into the operations of the Sheriff’s Office.”
Sheriff denies county manager’s claims Corpus said Callagy’s claims that the firing is retaliation are “unfounded.”
Attempts to reach Chief of Staff Aenlle to get his side of the conversation Callagy recounted were unsuccessful.
Callagy has disputed the claims Corpus has made about him.
Corpus announced that Capt. Matthew Fox had been promoted the acting role of assistant sheriff.
Why is Callagy asking a female sheriff who she dated in the County? Perhaps an enterprising reporter should ask Mr. Callagy who he has “dated” in the county.
For one thing, because Sheriff’s Office policy bars Supervisors from dating subordinates. Thus, if Sheriff Corpus was or is having a romantic relationship with any member of the Sheriff’s Office, that would be a violation of policy. Callagy was doing his job as County Executive, in making sure no such violations were taking place. It’s interesting that she never answered the question…
Given what I’ve learned about San Mateo County, such a law would not prohibit anyone from breaking the law
Why hide it then? Why not answer honestly? Why not be truthful? Why point fingers? Why have lawyers and distractions in place? Get real.
Ever heard of nepotism?!
Because the county has rules about nepotism so everyone has to disclose if they are dating someone that works there
So here we are. The sheriff and the cute little doctor Vicky phd esquire Mba are at it again. Everyone is corrupt except them. Everything is political theatre unless they are saying it and we should all just follow the shiny coin of their instagram posts. Nothing to see here
But let’s focus on facts. Fact. [Portion removed — Terms of Use violation] That cool daycare is not zoned to be a daycare, over 300 union members voted to have the cute little doctor removed, the judge will likely find some very corpus like behavior in her report and then this little taxpayer fund experiment will be over. Those two are playing with taxpayer money. And don’t think for one minute that callagy cares about who sheriff corpse dated because he doesn’t. Mr.Callagy cares about liability and hiring your special friend with privileges violates county policy and caused this whole mess. Maybe she should have listened more closely but she is stuck in her distressed view of what is ethical and legal. My personal favorite is when she fired Monaghan and said it was performance duplicity. That’s a doctor term for Monaghan was telling them everything was great and then talking to the judge. Who that works for them that has told them the truth still works for them no one. Now you have foxy and borat. Both ethically challenged and not very smart. Bad combo. Time for this to be over
Quite an interesting development. Kudos to the staff of the Post in their continued pursuit to find the truth. Deviations from the truth are so easy to find it seems. Take, for example, Sheriff Corpus’ September 30, 2024 News Release announcing a reduction in crime, for the last eight months, taunting zero homicides. This proclamation seems doubtful since the newly added Deaths In Custody page on the Sheriff’s website shows one homicide to have occurred to an inmate while in SMCSO custody. Well, congratulations on adding the required website page after a year and a half in office Sheriff Corpus. When will an executive be appointed to oversee Corrections, the largest personnel area and highest liability area for the Sheriff’s Office?
Returning to the Monaghan debacle. Sheriff Corpus has publicly proclaimed the Assistant Sheriff was terminated for cause, making what would normally be a private, confidential matter, very public. Sheriff Corpus then announced the cause for Monaghan’s termination as, “performance duplicity and failure to execute the goals of the Sheriff’s Office expeditiously” in a letter made public. The cause must then be a “just” cause. Was it? This is especially doubtful when privately Corpus told the AS he, “could not be trusted,” according to the story. A conflict in cause disclosed by the Post’s investigative journalism. Untruthful? This is yet to be fully established. Willful misconduct? The Grand Jury may well need to look into this too.
The County practices require both cause, and just cause, be given when employment is terminated. Was there progressive discipline for either cause? Was there remedial training given to the AS? After all, Sheriff Corpus stated she had long been planning to terminate the AS. What steps preceded termination? Certainly Sheriff Corpus followed the law, as well as County practices and policies in that regard, didn’t she?
Since Sheriff Corpus married a County employee in the Sheriff’s Office prior to her election, Callagy’s question should have been easy for Corpus to answer. He never worked for him, nor he for her, right? Her husband supported her campaign though. He, and a certain tattoo, were pre-election topics for a short time. Of course only four-months into Sheriff Corpus’ term, her husband filed for divorce in this very county. The Sheriff ran on a platform of transparency. It would seem Callagy’s question was not only reasonable, but appropriate, especially due to the County Charter prohibiting nepotism and the associated County policies about dating in the workplace. As I understand the policies, they place an affirmative responsibility on those in the workplace dating others, in a subordinate or supervisory position, to share that relationship with their immediate superior. As a newly elected Sheriff, and in the limited view of just that policy, Callagy is Corpus’ superior, whether she cares for that fact or not; it is true.
Callagy was wise to keep Monaghan on the County payroll. This will save the taxpayers of the County millions in legal settlement costs from a wrongful termination lawsuit from Monaghan.
Oh, COME ON Anonymous! You need to keep up, or get caught up, if you even need to ask that question!
The Sheriff passed over many qualified men and woman with years of experience in the SO to bring in Aenlle, a man who has brought nothing but angst, deception and HR complaints. She allowed him to mistreat women in the Sheriff’s Office. Don’t those women matter?
Why do you think Sheriff Corpus is on a media blitz? Keep deflecting Sheriff ,the public will soon know the truth.
Shortly thereafter, Corpus called Monaghan into her office and she fired him, saying he “could not be trusted,” according to Callagy’s email.
The Sheriff you can trust has trust issues with 99.9% of the office.
Where can I sign the recall petition?
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I have given a lot of thought to, “performance duplicity” and “failure to execute the goals of the Sheriff’s Office expeditiously”. What could those phrases possibly mean? Well, if the goal is to bring into doubt what a witness has surfaced, in a statement, for an investigation, and just one example, they might be accused of “performance duplicity.” If that were the case, then “duplicity” would mean deception, or deceitfulness, in the performance of one’s duties. So, is it that the originator of that term is not just trying to get rid of Monaghan, but also trying to cast doubt on his truthfulness? After providing a statement in an investigation? A statement in an investigation potentially involving a corrupt public official? That sounds like a move made in desperation. A corrupt move. Who knows? I know those phrases have a ring of vagueness to them, at least in the known totality of circumstances.
Moving on to the “failure to execute the goals…expeditiously” aspect of the cause for termination. How long has Monaghan been in his position, compared to others on the Sheriff’s executive staff? It would seem the Assistant Sheriff has only held his position for just less than the amount of time the only other sworn executive staffer, Sheriff Corpus, has held office. Is this, therefore, some weak, backhanded version of an attempt to create a scapegoat for the Sheriff’s own failure to accomplish the “goals of the Sheriff’s Office”?
Moreover, what do the facts of the matter indicate? Are there patterns of behavior? Patterns of honesty? Patterns of dishonesty? The facts seem to indicate that Mr Callagy is an active member of the California Bar Association and has been a lawyer for maybe about 20-years, give or take. Mr Callagy is also the Chief Executive Officer of the County. Mr Callagy seems to have moved swiftly and decisively to limit a litigation risk to the County, perhaps saving millions in a wrongful termination case that may now never be filed. Sheriff Corpus is unquestionably the Sheriff and an elected official, yet she is simultaneously a county employee, and in that limited sense, the sheriff does work for the County Executive, Mr Callagy. As an elected official, Sheriff Corpus is a peer to other elected officials, like the elected Board members. Each of them, Corpus, Callagy and the Board, have sworn oaths of their respective positions and roles. They have equal obligations to uphold many things, including laws and policies. No one is bulletproof, no one.
Hopefully, the remainder of the facts will be revealed in Judge Cordell’s investigation. Hopefully, Judge Cordell’s report will be made public. Hopefully, normalcy will return to county government.
performance duplicity is just vocabulary to throw around to deter attention, although publicly shame and openly defame one’s personal employment records. With no other explanation. There is someone that received a vote of no confidence and you get rid of the one person following the rules and keep the problem child.
Then the following week Corpus posts how the last 8 months crime has been down and how good the department is doing. So, you fire the one executive staff member in charge of part of that goal? Doesn’t sound like a case of performance issues and does not sound like any just cause.
What this sounds like is an employee legally participating in a department investigation and keeping it confidential to save the integrity of the department and themselves. When Victor and Christina found out- there was some fear put in them what has been witnessed at the top.
I hope EVERYONE shares what they know now. The truth needs to prevail
The truth about these two would truly blow your mind. And the amazing people that helped her get elected, only for her to completely ice them out and cut contact, says everything about her. I hate that I voted for her. It’s alarming and shocking how much they’ve gotten away with. Looking forward to a recall election! Will be happy to VOTE HER OUT. The SMCO deserves better than a dictator.
This has got to be the worst Sheriff San Mateo County has ever had. I can’t fullly blame Little Vicky because this Sheriff enables him and picked him to be her second in command. Then she picks degenerates and leftovers like Borat and Fox who are hated in their old agencies because the good people she initial chose (Guiney and Kearnan) backed out after seeing her incompetence.
Corpus said she’s the coach and she chooses her own team. Well Coach, you’re losing assistant coaches left and right because of your equipment manager.
Things just don’t add up.
As an outsider to see what response the Sheriff has to keep her team member working (not on admin leave even) that not only has multiple complaints, a board of supervisor investigation and also a vote of no confidence against.
And a random public firing of her Assistant Sheriff that she brought on a year ago. The office was making some good progress with her team.
Why change directions and hire people that are creating chaos and law suits. This seems like a person that is severely unqualified in over their head or someone very mentally unstable person making terrible choices.
I don’t expect to see this ending well for the Sheriff and her new team members. This sounds like she is trying to create a dictatorship. This doesn’t sound like a morally, ethically, democratically run government office. I can’t believe this is being allowed to operate under these conditions in the United States and California. I feel sorry for the people in San Mateo County enduring these conditions.
I don’t understand fulling what is transpiring publicly and behind those closed doors. As this picks up speed it seems to be growing in magnitude impacting more people.
I think the Sheriff would be wise to take a hard look at what she is doing to her career and the people she choses to have closest around her.
Callagy is an outstanding man, dedicated to the citizens of this county.
Shame on her for trying to defect from her corruption and attempt to tarnish the names of the reps holding her accountable.
Winter is here….
I recall that many believed that Juan Lopez was retaliated against by Sheriff Bolanos and friends for running against him. This wouldn’t have anything to do with Corpus beating out the good ole boys club, would it?
Christina, you have been an employee of the sheriffs office for over 20 years. You should know the policies specifically the policy against nepotism.
Callagy is your boss like it or not. As I have stated before he is outstanding individual and leader I have known him in both a professional and private situations.
Furthermore, I have known Ryan Monaghan , professionally and personally for well over 30 years. Is an incredibly honest individual and brings nothing but credibility to the office. He was asked to speak to the judge and he honored that request. He did the right thing and once again you overreacted. in an act of desperation and panic, you terminated him.
Callagy stepped in and blocked the termination in order to save the county from serious.liability. Once again, Mike did the right thing.
Christina, you have caused nothing but instability and angst in the office. You should seriously consider withdrawing from the office if you have brought nothing but shame to it
Didn’t Christina Corpus win her election because voters were angry about Bolanos being at a brothel with underaged girls in Las Vegas with Sheriff Munks and refused to adequately explain this to press ? Surely that was a more serious issue-given that when he was at the brothel an FBI sting went down.. Is this really about the good ole boy network in San Mateo County that is worried that it won’t have power? . There are many working for the County who are not exactly squeaky clean
Is the good ole boy club the 96% of your union that is speaking out. Is the good ole boy club the dedicated people you transfer to new assignments . What balance is given to the civilian position Corpus assigned? Why does Corpus ignore her people? Why does Corpus deflect EVERY SINGLE VALID COMPLAINT involving Victor Aenlle? Why are women deputies complaints considered invalid and ignored? Why is the Sheriff deflecting issues and suddenly crying Latino Female hardships? This is infuriating to every single person that voted for this woman Sheriff. Corpus is a disgrace to this profession. Keep making up stuff and ignoring HR laws corpus and the executive team will be recalled. 6 months from now the careers you once had will be shattered with your outrageous behaviors.
Grand jury forthcoming to fix this mess?
Did Corpus hire somebody knowing it would be a violation of the nepotism policy? She needs to answer that question. The sheriff should be beyond reproach. If she doesn’t come clean, it’s time for a new sheriff.
You will have to review complaints and decide for yourself. Then you will understand the magnitude of why other divisions have had to interfere and help since the Sheriff is making a joke of herself and ignoring her ENTIRE office.
My hope is that the truth will come out and these nonsense quotes, phrases and unprofessionalism stop. Order and balance need to be restored and this profession respected again. Until then there are crazy things going on at the SO and I am certain a few deceitful responses will be deployed once this investigation is released. What a complete waste of resources to stop this immoral Sheriff. I don’t care what color or ethnicity Corpus is, this is completely unethical and immoral.
The executive team was documented at a Board of Supervisors meeting July 16 and everything was fine. The long time coming of being fired happened September 20?
Good ole boys club? What exactly changed your mind to do this heinous outrageous publicity stunt Corpus?