This story has been updated to include a response from the sheriff
Five Congressional and state leaders from San Mateo County today (Nov. 18) called upon embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus to resign, saying her continued tenure impacts public safety.
“The turmoil that is engulfing the sheriff’s office is continuing to damage the organization and its members, jeopardize public safety and is exposing local taxpayers to avoidable liabilities,” according to the statement, signed by U.S. Reps. Kevin Mullin and Anna Eshoo, State Sen. Josh Becker, and Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Diane Papan.
A scathing report about the sheriff’s office from independent investigator and retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, released last week, included findings of abuse of power, retaliation, intimidation, homophobia and racism in Corpus’ office.
The report also investigated Corpus’ chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, who is not a sworn officer, yet Cordell said worked in tandem with Corpus to wreak havoc at the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation found that Aenlle exercised authority far beyond his duties and inched his way up the chain of command where he applied wide-ranging and sometimes abusive authority over civil and sworn staff.
“This damning report coupled with the dismissals and resignations … (within her) command staff of the Sheriff’s Office demonstrates that this is an agency in crisis,” according to Monday’s statement from Congressional and state legislators. “Our county can no longer afford the chaos and failed leadership of Christina Corpus. Our communities deserve better.”
Corpus reiterated that she had no intention of stepping down.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised that more elected officials have decided to pile on me and my office,” the sheriff said in a statement.
“To the people of San Mateo County, I want to make it clear: I am not going anywhere. You elected me to be your Sheriff, and I intend to continue the hard work of reforming this office and keeping this community safe.”
The criticism from state and Congressional leaders follows on the heels of a vote last week by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, demanding the immediate resignation Corpus and the ouster of her chief of staff. Many San Mateo County politicians, including Becker, Mullin and supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo, supported Corpus’ run against then-Sheriff Carlos Bolanos in 2022.
Corpus has refused to resign, denying the allegations in the report, which she described as “glaring lies.”
During the supervisors’ meeting last week, Corpus declared that she would not step down or stand for her chief of staff being fired, and instead would be promoting him to assistant sheriff.
“What has happened in the last few days is disgusting,” Corpus said at the meeting. “I will not allow the board to threaten me and attempt to fire my chief of staff without cause. This inquiry was politically motivated and one-sided. That is why, effective immediately, I’m appointing Victor Aenlle to the position of assistant sheriff.”
After the sheriff announced at the meeting she was promoting Aenlle, the board of supervisors directed the county attorney to investigate the legality of the move. County Executive Mike Callagy also announced that Aenlle would be barred from county facilities reserved for sworn officers and county employees.
Assistant Sheriff Matthew Fox resigned on Thursday. Undersheriff Dan Perea is still part of Corpus’ command staff.
— BCN and staff report
“Sheriff” Corpus will never resign. She’ll probably try and cut a deal to have Aenlle leave and let her stay. Her biggest problem is that no one will work for her. Two captains declined to be promoted recently.
Corpus has shown us all what failed leadership is. Everyone except her and Victor, seem to know the end is near. Undersheriff Dan would be wise to jump ship before it completely sinks.
Is damage the only thing at the core of the Corpus Crisis? The statement from legislators who offer, “The turmoil that is engulfing the sheriff’s office is continuing to damage the organization and its members, jeopardize public safety and is exposing local taxpayers to avoidable liabilities,” seem to leave a logical course of action moving forward to the SMC Board of Supervisors (BOS). Government Code section 3060 et seq already gives a test path for resolution and definitive steps for the removal of an elected official. Less expeditious would be a recall effort. With the focus on damage done, virtually no one has surfaced constitutional rights. I have seen no articles, nor heard any discussions, concerning the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
“Procedural due process” concerns procedures that the government must follow before it deprives an individual of life, liberty, or property. Primary key questions relative to procedural due process include: What procedures satisfy due process? And what constitutes “life, liberty, or property”? If my recollection is correct, Courts have determined that due process requires, at a minimum: (1) notice; (2) an opportunity to be heard; and (3) an impartial tribunal. While the BOS and County Attorney are apt professionals, I for one, hope they consider those critical due process aspects and incorporate the necessary elements as they sculpt a Charter Amendment to pass constitutional muster on its face. Is the Board sufficiently courageous to craft an Amendment that applies to all elected officials elected to be San Mateo County employees such as themselves, the District Attorney and the Coroner, to name only some of them.
Despite the apparent unethical behavior of the current Sheriff as an elected official, I maintain faith in the other elected officials to continue to do the right thing, with eyes wide open and altruistic intentions. Both time and history will tell the tale and arrive at the lasting judgement. Madam Sheriff, reconsider your chosen path. Reconsider, if not for yourself, then do it for your own children. Reconsider your resignation for your family, so that those most important to you can understand your original intentions and what impact you had hoped to make in all aspects. You have made your mark in history. Now, before the steps that have become inescapable occur, bring your term to a conclusion dispassionately yet sincerely.
What about greasy Gavin? Is he or AG Bonta going to call for her resignation? Looks likely there are some potential criminal elements to this circus.
This is a hatchet job and I still believe in her vision. Can you guys put some money on my books.