UPDATE Feb. 11, 9 p.m. — Belmont City Council unanimously endorsed Measure A. South San Francisco will vote tomorrow.
BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer
Redwood City Council tonight (Feb. 10) endorsed Measure A, which would lead removal of San Mateo County Sheriff Corpus who is accused of nepotism, lying, abuse of power, conflicts of interest and uttering racial and homophobic slurs.
The city councils in San Mateo, Millbrae and San Carlos have approved resolutions expressing no confidence in Corpus. Redwood City is the first city to endorse Measure A, which could lead to her ouster.
The vote in Redwood City was 6-0 with Councilman Jeff Gee recusing himself.
If voters approve Measure A on March 4, it will amend the county charter temporarily to give the Board of Supervisors the ability to fire Corpus.
“I actually really wrestled with this decision, and my default position is that when someone different comes into an organization, especially like the sheriff’s (office), there’s going to be a natural disruption,” Councilwoman Isabella Chu said. “After hearing the evidence and seeing who talked (tonight), not just people from the sheriff’s department but people who robustly supported her election … I think it’s become very clear that there has been an incredible amount of misconduct.”
Both of the sheriff’s unions are campaigning against Corpus and have said they have no confidence in her leadership. One union leader, Detective Eliot Storch, said she is an “absentee leader.”
The ballots were mailed out last week. So the council agreed they needed to vote to endorse the measure now.
Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos, who requested the agenda item, said the police department often works with the sheriff’s office and that Corpus’ actions are a concern for public safety.
“We might not pay and rely on the sheriff’s office for policing services, but we’re absolutely dependent on them,” Martinez Saballos said.
Between interagency task forces, assisting with Redwood City’s narcotics task force and managing crimes that happen in and on trains and buses, Martinez Saballos said the city needs the sheriff’s department. He said he sees Measure A as a way to end the “active damage” being done by Corpus.
San Carlos and Millbrae have passed no confidence resolutions and both have contracts with the Sheriff’s Office for policing.
Corpus, who took office in January 2023, has faced growing calls to resign from her sergeants, lieutenants and captains, and federal and state representatives. A report by retired judge LaDoris Cordell released on Nov. 12 named Corpus’ chief of staff Victor Aenlle throughout the report as having an inappropriate relationship with the sheriff. Both have denied any such relationship.
Aenlle has shown a paranoid obsession with loyalty and made unilateral decisions that violated county policies and potentially broke the law, Cordell said.
Cordell’s report concluded that “lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interests and abuses of authority are the hallmarks of the Corpus administration.”
Thank you to all the City Councils who have voted for no confidence or in support of Measure A for having the convictions to stand up for what is right. This is an exigent situation which requires unique measures to remove incompetent, corrupt leadership at the Sheriff’s Office. Her failed leadership is causing an exodus of talent, putting the public and the courts at needless risk everyday, forcing all employees to live in constant fear of retaliation, and subjecting the County an endless wave of civil liability. If anyone needs more information as to why this needs to happen, simply read Brian Phillip’s filed lawsuit. He will win a lot of money, Carlos Tapia will win even more, DJ Wozniak will prevail in his lawsuit, Ryan Monaghan will prevail also…and more lawsuits are coming. Christina Corpus will bankrupt this county if she is allowed to continue in her role for even one extra day.Vote YES on Measure A and save the Sheriff’s Office
Well done Redwood City! The corrupt Corpus administration will soon be nothing but an unpleasant memory!
Wow. When Redwood City supports bouncing Habeas Corpus you know things are bad in here world.
The sheriff speaks volumes when she dismisses all of these votes of no confidence and the supporters of Measure A. The Sheriff sends a clear message that none of these people, council members, sheriff office employees, legislators- none of these people or groups are voters that matter to the Sheriff
Sadly, this is a solo mission to serve herself the Sheriff looks out for her own personal gains. Personal gains to attempt at likely money and reality is the severity of these accusations after investigation will poke turn into criminal charges impacting herself. Completely immoral
Belmont joined and next is SSF
Yes on Measure A
Why don’t you all rally and get these gangstalking people off of a disabled senior who has been left to defend herself. It’s a hate crime elderly abuse. I don’t see any rallying in stopping these people from harassing me. It’s interesting what’s important because obviously your residents who are powerless to fight a huge group of bullies and it’s ok to allow. This is all that matters when you rally. Stop inhuman targeting It’s disturbing and inhumane. You don’t rally for stopping cruel behavior and leave alone. You have the power to stop it but you don’t. Stop hate crimes stop the abuse. I’m one person bother no one.
Antonella, please find a relative or someone you trust and ask for help. No one is gangstalking you. You are having a rough time and need help. Please talk to someone and get help.
A general recall will take far too long to prepare. Just like the bbq wings at Wingstop! A “Yes” vote in Measure A is the only way!
Christina still just doesn’t get it. You got used girl.
Victor told her he’d leave his wife, he didn’t, Victor tells her she is strong and not to give up they will be Victorious together soon. It’s all and has always been about him, Victor wanted power in the SO and to pay back all that shunned him because they saw what a weasel he was. He never cared about the integrity of the Sheriff’s Office or helping the community. Victor couldn’t even pass field training. He knew he would never be more then a Reserve . Christina was his only ticket to get power and move up the ranks because he was never talented or qualified to do so on his own merits. This pair is disgraceful and thank god our local government and the vast majority of the public see the glaring corruption and through the “power grab” BS talking points. We can’t wait for a Recall.