BY ELAINE GOODMAN
Daily Post Correspondent
Victor Aenlle, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus’ chief of staff, has offered many explanations for why he was on a flight to Maui with Corpus as she headed to a vacation in Hawaii in September 2022.
In an interview with retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, whom the county Board of Supervisors hired to investigate complaints about Aenlle, he said it was a coincidence that he and Corpus were on the same flight.
“I was doing covert detail for a high-net-worth individual,” Aenlle said, according to Cordell’s report released last week. The report, which investigated a range of allegations against Aenlle and Corpus, calls for the sheriff to resign and for Aenlle to be fired.
In another conversation detailed in the report, Aenlle said he went to Maui to watch Corpus’ children while she was on vacation. Another time, he said he was providing security to protect the sheriff. And at one point, he denied that he went to Hawaii.
Cordell, who heard about Aenlle’s other statements through interviews with past and current sheriff’s office employees, called his various explanations about the Maui trip “unsettling.”
“It is clear that Corpus and Aenlle have tried to cover up the fact that they were together on a vacation,” Cordell wrote. “Why? Because they knew that their relationship was personal, beyond ‘mere friendship,’ and therefore, a violation of county and (sheriff’s office) policy manual rules.”
The issue is that at the time of the trip in September 2022, Aenlle was starting work on the transition team for Corpus, who was elected in June 2022 and took office in January 2023. As an independent contractor with the county, Aenelle was being paid $105 an hour, up to a total of $30,000, for the transition-team work.
When County Executive Mike Callagy heard about the Hawaii trip in late October 2022, he canceled the contract with Aenlle, saying “It’s the perception that I hired a contractor who went to Hawaii with the sheriff-elect,” according to Cordell’s report.
But that wasn’t the end of Aenlle’s work with Corpus. In January 2023, he was again hired as an independent contractor to work under the sheriff’s or undersheriff’s direction to complete a variety of tasks. The one-year contract was for $92.44 per hour, up to $192,275.
Three months later, Corpus hired Aenlle as an extra-help special projects coordinator. Then in July 2023, Corpus hired Aenlle as executive director of administration, a newly created position that paid $246,979 a year plus benefits. The position is also known as chief of staff.
In early 2024, Corpus submitted at least two requests to increase Aenlle’s pay, according to Cordell’s report. The county denied the requests.
Sheriff’s office policy prohibits conflicts of interest in hiring, recruitment and supervision, Cordell said. One way conflicts of interest may arise is through personal relationships, including marriage, living together, dating or any other intimate relationship beyond mere friendship.
In his interview with Cordell, Aenlle said he’s been married for 30 years. He said he has a professional relationship with Corpus and is honored to work for her.
Corpus didn’t accept Cordell’s invitation to be interviewed as part of her investigation.
In an interview with the Post, Aenlle denied claims that he has had an affair with the sheriff and said he’s the target of a “witch hunt” by the unions representing deputies and sergeants.
The board of supervisors voted Wednesday to terminate Aenlle’s position; but Corpus responded by naming Aenlle assistant sheriff, a position that the board might not be able to eliminate. Corpus said in a memo to employees last week that she’s “here to stay.”
Cordell’s report includes further details, gleaned from interviews with sheriff’s office employees, of a relationship between Aenlle and Corpus. That includes reports that Aenlle bought Corpus a $1,200 pair of Christian Louboutin boots in December 2021 and an $11,000 pair of diamond earrings from Tiffany’s in January 2022.
“There is overwhelming factual evidence that Sheriff Corpus and Aenlle continue to be in a personal relationship since 2021, and that Sheriff Corpus has an actual conflict of interest, in violation of (sheriff’s office) Policy 1025,” Cordell wrote.
But the relationship between Corpus and Aenlle apparently hasn’t always been sunshine and “sparklies,” as one employee called the earrings.
Cordell’s report recaps the following incident during an election-night watch party in June 2022, where Corpus gave a speech thanking her election team as well as her then-husband. Aenlle, who had worked as a volunteer on Corpus’ election campaign, was at the party, as was an employee whom Cordell interviewed.
The report describes the incident as follows:
Aenlle (to Corpus): “How dare you thank (Name of Corpus’ ex-husband)!”
Corpus: “I had no choice.”
Aenlle: “It’s over. It’s over. We’re done.”
Interviewee #3 (to Aenlle): “It’s not about you!”
Aenlle: “Yes, it is.”
Corpus was crying and following Aenlle pleading with him, “Please don’t do this, baby!”
Corpus and Aenlle left the party and talked through the night, according to Cordell’s report, which said Corpus apologized to Aenlle and things were then OK again between the two.
If she doesn’t resign, will investigators eventually have to interview her children about Hawaii? If so, that’s not only abuse of power, that’s abuse of parenting. Unconscionable!
San Mateo Board of Supervisors are stealing our votes. Their actions are unconstitutional.
How is the BOD stealing our votes? They are bringing it to the ballot for VOTERS to make the decision. The alarming part is that we have to wait for this to happen in March. The SO is in a state of chaos because of Victor Aennle and an unstable Sheriff. The public’s safety is at risk. Record resignations.
This Sheriff’s behavior will cost the county millions in lawsuits if the BOD does didn’t act. No one is stealing our votes.
A review of the California State Constitution will show you how they are stealing your vote. Please review that document. This is in addition to the California State Sheriff’s Association voicing their opposition due to constitutional issues.
oh god, shut up already
They would more likely ask her ex husband to share his knowledge of the relationship before they involve her children. However, beyond the issue of having an inappropriate personal friendship/ relationship there are numerous other issues highlighted. The entire department she works for has no confidence in her. There is nothing productive happening in san mateo now that she is prancing around avoiding board members. Now state and federAl leaders have to get involved and file charges against her for the laws she is breaking. She could have avoided this and acknowledged the issues with Aenlle and fired him. He doesn’t have to work at the sheriff department. Aenlle has broken laws and has some major authority complexes and isnpower hungry. Disgusting is what Corpus is. Corpus believes her own lies
Time for this spoiled banana to exit before the situation gets worse.
Now that I’m locked out of my office I’ll be in the Tropics Weekly.
All the lies!!!!! Pick a version and stick with it “Dr.”! Here is an idea! If you tell the truth the story NEVER changes!!!! All Corpus and Aennle do is lie. They think we are all chumps that will buy the nonsense they spew! Enough!
The way Corpus lies is nauseating. These two morons went to Maui as a couple everyone knows it and now the public can see through her. Christina will not resign, she is digging in her heels and won’t stop until she is forced out.
Why won’t she resign? because Aenlle will leave her and she knows it. She thought he would leave his wife and marry her. Does she still not get it?
The fact Christina can continue to lie to the public with a straight face, knowing the very people she bragged about her affair to and witnessed it are watching, shows just what a despicable human being she is.
Christina, you had the opportunity of a lifetime and you through it all away.
Corpus, and Aenlle for that matter, are the only ones bringing up sexual relations in their relationships to emotionally cloud public perceptions. Even Corpus’ friend, Dan Noyes from ABC, who Mr. Aenlle texted directly prior to Corpus exclusive denial interview this week, could not put together a believable broadcast. People might remember Mr Noyes inflated Batmobile coverage as a campaign tactic to inject in the recent election. Virtually no mention made of the court orders that pertain to Search Warrants and how they command peace officers to act.
Judge Cordell on the other hand is clear, quoting from her report concerning the Sheriff’s own Policy 1025’s phrasing, “any other intimate relationship beyond mere friendship” makes it abundantly and inescapably clear that an intimate relationship can exist without sexual intimacy.
Lying is still lying whether under oath or not under oath. Government Code Sections 3300-3312 Explain why Corpus can only be compelled to give sworn testimony, and the procedures under which that may occur. Furthermore, the matter becomes more complex due to something known as Lybarger. A Lybarger warning is a Miranda warning that must be given to a peace officer before questioning them if their conduct could lead to criminal charges. The warning is a result of the 1985 California Supreme Court case Lybarger v. City of Los Angeles.
A Lybarger warning informs the officer of their constitutional rights and that their statements cannot be used against them in a criminal prosecution. However, the officer’s employer can still take disciplinary action against them if they refuse to answer questions related to the investigation. Criminal charges in this case cannot be compromised. Corpus either wants to explain her conduct or she chooses not to do so. Bring on the Grand Jury. It should be ready after the recent Galatolo indictment. The Grand Jury is the most expeditious route to resolution.
As the saying goes, lies always change, the truth never wavers.
Riddle me this Corpus. If Aenlle is just a friend, why is it so difficult for you to fire him? Why is he so indispensable to your orbit that you bend like a pretzel to keep securing him different job titles to stay employed by the County? The math isn’t mathing.
What an abuse of power, by someone that latinas should be proud of, I’m ashamed. She needs to go! They argue like high school kids too!
Sheriff Corpus needs to file her retirement paperwork now and leave with her vested pension monies….she and her bf are a sh..t show and does nothing to further the mission of her office. Get another job at POST or Google and live stress free.
Board of supervisors are acting like dictators trying to remove our elected Sheriff. This is eye opening as Mueller, Corzo, Pine, Slocum, Canepa commit election fraud.
The only dictator is Mr Aenlle and his puppet Sheriff Corpus. The BOD will not stand idly by any longer while the Sheriff’s Office implodes.
Well guess what its a ballot measure that the voters would pass . Why are you so scared if the voters love Christina and trust her they wont pass it. Likely Christina will see her fame faded
We need her out before March anyway . Police chiefs have oversights for wrongdoing why shouldn’t the sheriff.
This is the problem all over the country. Just because they wear uniform or they’re elected does not mean they’re not criminals. Every county every state every city we have the same problem.
When people are in deep love, they will do anything for that person. And in this case, it sounds like Christina is giving it all for love!
Corpus will lose her pension. Aenlle will lose his wife’s family trust. Both will go to jail. The End
How is anyone getting anything done at the command level. Everyone is getting paid to sit and wait for what’s going to happen next. No chain of command present and no one to fix what the current administration broke. Tax dollars just going down the drain.
So let’s think about this.
Christina said they’ve been friends for 17 years, Victor also sometimes helps her with her disabled child (she can’t have kids but has2), Victor campaigned with her and … she just happens to plan a Hawaii trip and they don’t know each other are going on the sample plane there and back. They just happened to bump into each other at the airport.
Then Victor is protecting someone in Hawaii- an unverified client because that is secret and then he leaves protective duties to have coffee in Hawaii with Christina then bumps into her again on the same flight home?
Smells fishy and publicly lied to everyone? Just immoral and incredibly manipulative. Why does she want this power and to fight with the county, state and federal leaders? This seems like a scary reveal about to come as digging continues.
Better yet why doesnt someone step test Christina for mental firness to be a sheriff and her mental stability to be carrying a gun.
Where was Christina’s husband and has anyone seen Aenlle and his wife together since Christina’s term started? Seems odd right? Oh wait christina divorced and Aennle needs the wife’s money and realestate license to hide behind.
Corpus’s husband was smart and divorced her after he found out about the affair . I’m sure Victor will take his wife out of hiding soon and “trot her out “ one of these days to try and convince people he lives as a married man .
But likely he will be laying low for awhile , if he has any pride left . His behavior has caught up with him , he is a pariah , even to the ones he Temporarily brainwashed.
Poor Marina. She’s such a sweet heart to be married to such a lying pr***.
Free Carlos Tapia !
This will be two SMC sheriff’s in a row involved with scandals. Guess that’s how you build your political career these days.
The Board, County HR and Callagy are the Judge, Jury and Executioner in San Mateo County. What they say goes they twist every story to suit them. They are misleading the public. Not all that you read is true! Then only hire people who do what they say. I have numerous examples of this not just what is happening to the Sheriff. They all hire their family members especially Callagy.
What exactly are are you talking about. Christina is the one ignoring HR complaints and telling ANYONE that complains about Aenlle they are liars and wrong. The Board of Supervisors stepped in because of the hostile emails and blatant HR violations of CORPUS and CORPUS along with Aenlle and Parea.
She hired an extremly respected executive team then turned her back on them when they tried to follow policy and procedures. Aenlle convinced her it made her look weak to follow laws and weak to communicate to the board and weak to communciate to the unions.
WAKE UP! ALL OF THE Sheriff Department Deputies, Sergeants, Captains associations have voted NO CONFIDENCE in Corpus. The state and federal legislation voted no confidence and asked her to resign.
The corruption here is that you are not reading ALL of the report and ALL 40 people’s testimony including respected leaders and then also recorded testimony from Aenlle. Corpus has you manipulated and brain washed- she LIED, she believes her lies and she continues to lie. Corpus won’t discipline Aenlle and he brought 3 riffles with silencers in to the sheriff’s office without any training. Aenlle pulled over someone with Parea and humiliated them just to show he is in charge. The power corruption must END. Stop with your misleading BS.
ATTORNEY GENERAL STEP IN
Is this the Laurel and Hardy show? How many different versions did these dirtbags give about going to Maui together? It’s almost comical how stupid they are.
The Board Of Directors are doing their job. Thank God. I am so proud, in particular of Corzo and Ray Mueller. They are true leaders who are making moves to try and protect this community. This can’t wait and they know what’s at stake.
We need more ethical people like this in office, leaders not afraid to take on corruption matter what their race or gender is. Their actions will be an example for future board members, who for far too long turned a blind eye to SO corruption. We are counting on them.
Lets see christina in a bikini then i’ll decide..
The recent calls for Sheriff Christina Corpus to resign are premature and based on allegations that, while serious, remain largely unproven. Sheriff Corpus deserves a fair chance to respond to these accusations and to take action to address any legitimate concerns.
It’s important to remember that Sheriff Corpus is the first female sheriff in San Mateo County history, and one of the first Latina sheriffs in California. She has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks to achieve her current position. It’s disheartening to see her reputation tarnished by allegations that may be politically motivated or rooted in resistance to her leadership as a woman and a minority.
While the independent report by Judge LaDoris Cordell raises serious concerns, it’s crucial to note that it does not constitute a legal finding of guilt. Sheriff Corpus has denied many of the allegations, and she deserves the opportunity to defend herself and to implement reforms within her department.
Rather than rushing to judgment, we should allow due process to unfold. Let Sheriff Corpus address the concerns raised, take corrective action where necessary, and demonstrate her commitment to serving the people of San Mateo County.