Former assistant sheriff files $5 million claim against the county

BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer

Assistant San Mateo County Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, who Sheriff Christina Corpus attempted to fire, has filed a $5 million claim against the county alleging retaliation.

The claim is one of several filed by current and former sheriff’s office employees against Corpus, who faces a possible firing by the Board of Supervisors next month.

Monaghan, a former longtime San Mateo city police officer and later police chief in Tiburon, said his firing on Sept. 20 came three days after then sheriff chief of staff Victor Aenlle confronted him about cooperating with retired judge LaDoris Cordell, who was investigating complaints against Aenlle.

Monaghan said he was fired after confirming that he was interviewed by Cordell.

Monaghan said his professional reputation is now “sullied” by retaliation from Corpus, Aenlle and Undersheriff Dan Perea.

He is seeking $5 million from them and the county in punitive damages, according to the claim filed by his attorney, Charles Stone. The county supervisors can decide whether to pay Monaghan’s claim or deny it. If they deny it, Monaghan is free to file a civil suit against the county and the other defendants.

County Manager Mike Callagy, fearing Monaghan would have a case against the county after he was fired, kept him on the payroll to mitigate the county’s damages. However, he’s not working at the sheriff’s office.

During the meeting where Monaghan was fired, Corpus cried and told him she was “disappointed in him.” She said she had heard what he had been saying about her and that he had not been checking in with her about the negative press she had been receiving, the claim said.

Monaghan believes that because he had been left out of at least 11 meetings of the executive meeting before he was fired, the claim states. The claim said he was treated as an outsider because he was unwilling to play “loose and fast with the law.”

Monaghan’s claim is one of several legal actions that has been filed against the county. A lawsuit has been filed by former Capt. Brian Philip, who refused to arrest union president Carlos Tapia on allegations of time card fraud — a case the District Attorney’s office later threw out. 

Additional claims include those brought by Sgt. Javier Acosta and Sgt. Hector Acosta, who are claiming retaliation. They’re seeking a combined $2.25 million in damages. 

County Executive Mike Callagy has also joined the fray with a $10.5 million claiming he had been defamed by Corpus and Aenlle. 

Corpus and Aenlle have fired back at their accusers. For instance, Aenlle claimed Callagy is the godfather of Monaghan’s daughter, according to Callagy’s claim. Callagy denied it, saying he would not recognize Monaghan’s daughter if she was standing before him.