UPDATE 2/26 — Judge Nicole Healy upheld her order, making it permanent unless either side files an appeal.
BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Managing Editor
A San Mateo County judge issued a tentative ruling today (Feb. 25) throwing out embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus’ attempt to stop a ballot measure that could lead to her removal from office.
Corpus’ attorneys have been trying to stop the March 4 election for Measure A. They argue that the election shouldn’t happen next week but instead in November 2026, because the law says charter measures should only appear on the ballot in a general statewide election.
Judge Nicole Healy said in her tentative ruling the law that Corpus’ attorneys cite only appears to apply to amendments to city and city-county charters (such as San Francisco), not county charters.
Healy only addressed in her ruling whether the election for next Tuesday ought to go forward, and not any other aspect of the soap opera that has encapsulated the sheriff’s office.
The Board of Supervisors put Measure A on the ballot after receiving an independent report from retired Judge LaDoris Cordell which she sustained findings of nepotism, abuse of power, retaliation, intimidation, homophobia, racism and conflicts of interest.
Cordell also found Corpus “relinquished control” of her office to her alleged boyfriend and former Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle, a real estate broker who has left deputies demoralized by his paranoid obsession with loyalty, Cordell said.
“Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization that is in turmoil,” Cordell said in her report.
If approved, Measure A will allow the supervisors to remove Corpus by a four-fifths vote and after the sheriff has been served with a written statement laying out the grounds for removal and allowed to defend herself.
That means Corpus will not be immediately removed if Measure A passes, but supporters of the measure have said the removal process will likely be quicker than a recall.
Corpus has said if the people of San Mateo County want her out of office, they ought to hold a recall. She has denied the allegations in Cordell’s report and said her opponents are part of a “good old boys’ club” who are resistant to change.
Other Daily Post stories on the controversy in the Sheriff’s Office
• Former Judge Cordell releases report on misconduct in sheriff’s office
• Corpus told to stay away from a women in law enforcement night
• Sheriff’s claims of crime reduction not what they seem
• Post Editorial: Corpus must go ASAP; Vote ‘yes’ on Measure A
• Former captain sues sheriff, saying he wouldn’t bow to corruption
• Sheriff brings Aenlle into HQ along with urinating puppy
• Sheriff buys $74,000 conference room table
• Deputies and sergeants vote 318-12 to declare they have ‘no confidence’ in Corpus
• The five captains in the sheriff’s office say Corpus should step down
• Head of deputy’s union arrested hours before former judge’s report is released
One week and the then the new games begin .
Might as well step down now Corpus why waste the time and money!
Don’t think Aenlle will let her resign.
And the hits just keep on coming!
Winter is coming Sheriff Christy. For you and all your cronies.
More like spring cleaning now- after Corpus keeps fighting that Measure A is un constitutional and the Board of Supervisors are biased BS. We the voters will be voting for the Board of Supervisors to act on OUR behalf.
How unethical can this Sheriff be. She sat on Telemundo crying poor me, I didn’t do anything I will keep fighting. How degrading. The latina community sees through the lies
Don’t mess with Judge LaDoris Cordell! Corpus is finished.
This was San Mateo superior court Judge Nicole Healy that heard this law suit
Her “good ole boys” and “I am a latina (x)” mantra is so tired!!!! The men and WOMEN of all colors creeds and sexual orientation have SPOKEN!!! A complete landslide vote of NO CONFIDENCE!!!! She is a bully, completely incompetent and has caused mass destruction for the entire Sheriffs Office. SIX City Counsels have also backed Measure A! GET HER OUT NOW!!!! Vote Yes on Measure A. End the embarrassing nightmare!!!
Just in…
02/26/2025 Other hearing 25CIV00244
Original Type
Other hearing
Judicial Officer
Healy, Nicole S.
Hearing Time
2:00 PM
Result
Held
Comment
Hearing on Writ
02/26/2025 Tentative ruling adopted and becomes order:
Comment
TENTATIVE RULING: The issue presently before the court is a narrow one. The court is not addressing the methodology, substance, merits, or findings of the report submitted by Judge LaDoris Cordell (ret.) to the Board, nor is the court making any findings or determinations regarding the allegations addressed therein. Rather, this ruling is directed only to the question of whether the special election called for March 4, 2025 should proceed as scheduled. For the reasons set forth below, the Court denies the petition for writ of mandate and dismisses the complaint for injunctive relief.
More like spring cleaning now- after Corpus keeps fighting that Measure A is un constitutional and the Board of Supervisors are biased BS. We the voters will be voting for the Board of Supervisors to act on OUR behalf.
How unethical can this Sheriff be. She sat on Telemundo crying poor me, I didn’t do anything I will keep fighting. How degrading. The latina community sees through the lies
“The voters will be voting for the BOS to act on OUR behalf.” You hit it right on the nose for those naysayers who can’t see the forest through the trees. Yes on Measure A.
The train has left the station, Christina. And neither you nor Victor can stop it. Your law enforcement careers are OVER,
Christina Corpus literally destroyed her reputation and lost the opportunity of a lifetime. She threw it all away for a manipulative conman that had an unhealthy, sick obsession with the Sheriff’s Department. She didn’t need him, he needed her. She sat by and let this unqualified tyrant seek revenge on the SO staff that always saw him for what he was. a loser.
Not only did she lose the respect of the entire department, she will cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. Corpus has no moral compass, her affair with a married man and wiliness to go along with this troll Aenlle’s retaliation and corruption has proven to us all what an absolute POS she really is.
Christina ,stop listening to this leech and his insane rhetoric that you will be ” Victorious”. You let him destroy your career and reputation, how is that victorious? How are you so blind? Stop listening to D bags like James and Victor. Guys who want to be important but never could reach the height .Stop letting men use you.
Do the right thing for the citizens of San Mateo County and try and salvage any last morsel of your self respect and dignity.
You are so 100% right Disgraced Sheriff. Unfortunately, she is in it to the bitter end. She has nothing to lose now except time with her kids. Will see how she plays out the next step if she has any ounce of brain cells… but then again her married buddy doesn’t have anything to lose either- his wife is living elsewhere and his kids are older.
Why wouldn’t she just resign, take a package instead of forcing her hand into criminal charges? Another prime example of corrupt unqualified elected person, she will be part of why the future for everyone else elected in law enforcement has less say and oversight.
And let us just see how fast Mr. Aenlle peels put of here when Corpus loses everything.
Victor Anelle is irrelevant now. He is also a fraud.
Victor aenlle is still with the sheriff 24/7 continue s to misguide her thought process and fill her head with conspiracy theories. The sheriff listens to aenlle and defends aenlle. How much lore obvious does this need to be?
Basically Aenlle is the silent sheriff by default- the realtor/volunteer reserve is running the county sheriffs office. Don’t be fooled by anyone telling you otherwise. Vote yes on Measure A get this corrupt guy and corpus out of the county they can retire and fly to Hawaii together on their own dime