BY EMILY MIBACH and AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff
Another city council has declared that it has no confidence in San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus and a judge has agreed to hear the sheriff’s arguments for canceling an election that could lead to her removal from office.
Millbrae City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to hold Corpus in no confidence after an independent investigation accused her of nepotism, abuse of power, retaliation, intimidation, racism, homophobia and conflicts of interest.
In November, San Carlos City Council also approved a no confidence resolution.
Both cities have a contract with the Sheriff’s Office to provide local policing services. The cities could decide to cancel their contracts with the sheriff’s office when those agreements expire, though neither city has talked about that on the record.
Before becoming sheriff, Corpus was the captain assigned to run Millbrae’s police bureau. The allegations of homophobia and racism occurred during Corpus’ time in Millbrae, according to a county-commissioned report by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell.
Mayor Anders Fung said the vote of no confidence on Tuesday was not personal, but based on the concerns he’s heard from the rank and file in Millbrae.
Councilman Bob Nguyen agreed and said some of Corpus’ actions may affect public safety in Millbrae. He said vacancies in the sheriff’s office may affect Milibrae.
Councilman Reuben Holober raised concerns about apparent attempts of retaliation by the sheriff. In one case, she fired Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan after learning he had given an interview to Cordell for her report. In the other instance, she had deputies union president Carlos Tapia — a critic of her leadership — arrested and jailed for timecard fraud. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe later threw out the case against Tapia.
“We’ve probably all had jobs where there’s been low morale, but I don’t think we’ve worked in jobs where you could be arrested for speaking out,” Holober said.
Meanwhile, San Mateo County Judge Nicole Healy said Wednesday that she will decide in late February on Corpus’ petition to cancel a March 4 special election on a county charter amendment that would allow the county Board of Supervisors to fire the sheriff.
Healy said she will issue a tentative ruling on Feb. 25 and hold a final hearing on Feb. 26.
“This is very late in the process for the sheriff to be raising the argument she is raising,” County Attorney John Nibbelin said.
Ballots for the measure went out last week to overseas voters registered to vote in San Mateo County. Ballots to voters in the county will go in the mail next week and are due back March 4.
If Corpus’ attorneys do not delay the election, voters will decide whether to give the five-member county Board of Supervisors the ability to remove her from office by a four-fifths vote.
The power to fire the sheriff is temporary, ending in 2028.
Christopher Ulrich, Corpus’ attorney, contends the vote should take place in the November 2026 general election, when such measures normally go before voters.
Corpus will fight everything as long as Aenlle is with her 24/7 convincing her the world is out to get her. Sad that she can’t step away and live in the world. Read the measure A supporters. Corpus is either done now or as soon as a grand jury or recall happens. Why prolong the inevitable there is noone supporting Corpus, not even her (former) friends. She has given everything up for an unqualified power hungry manipulative relator. They are waiting for a scenario to twist facts and find a loop hole to survive this longer. Hopefully, they keep adding things to their case against them. Get as many burner phones as you want Aenlle. You can’t hide from illegal activities. eventually, government agencies get involved and then life is much different. preach on the news and radio and make fake memos- they mean nothing to anyone.