This story first appeared in the print edition of the Daily Post on Friday morning. To get all of the local news first, pick up the Post in the mornings at 1,000 Mid-Peninsula locations.
BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Managing Editor
Victor Aenlle, the former chief of staff of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, said in a newly filed $15 million claim against the county that he has been targeted because he is a Latino.
In an unsigned statement issued Thursday, the county responded by saying: “The claim includes an unsubstantiated accusation that individuals are discriminating against him as a Latino, without presenting any evidence or rationale.”
In an unsigned statement issued Thursday, the county responded by saying: “The claim includes an unsubstantiated accusation that individuals are discriminating against him as a Latino, without presenting any evidence or rationale.”
Sheriff Corpus has also said that she has been targeted because she’s a Latina.
(Read Aenlle’s claim and the county’s response.)
In order to sue a local government, a would-be plaintiff needs to file a claim stating their demands. If the claim is rejected, the plaintiff can sue the government in court.
In the claim, Aenlle said County Executive Mike Callagy conspired with Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller to “defame, retaliate against and remove Mr. Aenlle from his duly appointed position as chief of staff.”
Aenlle also attacked the independent report written by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, who was hired by the county to investigate HR complaints against Aenlle that Corpus had ignored.
Aenlle said the report is “a defamatory, incomplete, politically weaponized document,” and that he wasn’t given a chance to respond to its allegations. Aenlle sat for a lengthy interview with Cordell, a transcript of which was included in the report.
Cordell’s report found Aenlle and Corpus engaged in a campaign of intimidation and retaliation against employees.
Cordell also alleged that Corpus and Aenlle were in a relationship and Aenlle gave the sheriff lavish gifts, such as $11,000 Tiffany earrings. Both Corpus and Aenlle have denied they were having an affair.
The day after the report was released, Aenlle was fired by the supervisors. Aenlle said the firing on Nov. 13 was done by Callagy “without notice, due process, fiscal justification, performance-based reasoning or the consent of Sheriff Corpus.”
Aenlle said that between September to October, which is when Cordell was working on her report, Human Resources Director Rocio Kiryczun allegedly pressured Corpus to place Aenlle on administrative leave, or fire him. Aenlle said Kiryczun’s urging of the sheriff was done “without good cause or investigation.”
The claim also said Callagy “exploited his influence over county departments to target Mr. Aenlle’s private property by directing an unfounded retaliatory code enforcement and Farm Labor Task Force actions at Mr. Aenlle.”
The county disputed Aenlle’s claims, saying the reasons his property has been under investigation is unrelated to Callagy.
“The Farmworker Housing Compliance Task Force was convened in early 2023 after the mass shooting in Half Moon Bay. Over the course of two years, some 56 properties with farmworker housing, including Mr. Aenlle’s property, were inspected,” the statement says.
The county said that an inspection of Aenlle’s property found unsafe and unpermitted housing, and contaminated water sources. One of his units on the property was red tagged, the county said.
The county, in its unsigned statement about Aenlle’s claim, said the claim “contains numerous inaccuracies and appears to spread false information, including about county enforcement activities responding to housing conditions on his property.”
Aenlle, a licensed real estate agent who formerly worked for Coldwell Banker, has had an unprecedented trajectory in the sheriff’s office under Corpus. Aenlle has been a reserve deputy for 17 years. After Corpus was elected in 2022, she put him on her “transition team.” Once she was sworn in, she brought him into her inner circle of sheriff’s office leaders even though he hadn’t come up through the ranks like other top law enforcement leaders locally. By July 2023, he was being paid $246,979 plus benefits as a contract employee, according to Cordell’s report.
Corpus initially dodged the question about whether she was having an affair with Aenlle. When Callagy asked her, she said it was an “inappropriate and offensive request.” However, she didn’t answer the question. She characterized his question as “demeaning and discriminatory” and indicative of Callagy “overstepping his authority.” Callagy asked because he wanted to know if she was violating the county’s policy against nepotism.
Corpus filed a formal complaint against Callagy, accusing him of bullying, and requesting an investigation into his conduct.
Callagy responded with his own $10.5 million claim against the county on March 13, saying Aenlle and Corpus made false and defamatory statements about him and damaged his reputation.
The Board of Supervisors plans to hold hearings to determine whether to fire Corpus, who has been accused of retaliation, nepotism, making racist and homophobic comments, conflicts of interest and operating jails with an unusually high number of deaths. The process could extend four to six months.
In the meantime, Corpus has decided to bring Aenlle back, in his capacity as a reserve deputy, to assist in the sheriff’s program to give out gun permits. When the county supervisors fired Aenlle, Callagy forbid Aenlle from entering nonpublic parts of county buildings unless accompanied by an elected official. At least once, the sheriff has bought Aenlle back into the sheriff’s headquarters at 330 Bradford St. in Redwood City. The county attorney’s office is looking into whether Aenlle can return to the sheriff’s office to work on the gun permit program.
So attempting to expose and sue whistleblowers is publicly admitting retaliation?
The Whistleblower Program
The County of San Mateo strongly believes that a high standard of ethical behavior by its employees is critical to accomplishing the County’s mission. By preventing, to the extent possible with reasonable resources, unethical behavior and/or internal control failures, public confidence in the stewardship of the County’s resources can be maintained.
To uphold these standards, all individuals are encouraged to report possible violations of laws, regulations and rules governing the conduct of County officers and employees.
Any retaliation or reprisal by any County officer or employee against any complainant or informant is strictly prohibited; provided, however, if it is determined that a complaint was filed by a County employee in bad faith, said employee may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. This prohibition against retaliation is in addition to the protections contained in California Labor Code section 1102.5, and any amendment thereto.
Also- Aenlle clearly admits that HR advised the Sheriff to place Aenlle on admin leave during this HR investigation- the Sheriff ignored County advise causing further problems and the sheriff publicly LIED in September/October when she said she was unaware of any complaints and she would look into them of brought to her attention.
Furthermore, Aenlle publicly stated to release the results of the HR Cordell investigation to release the results publicly- in interviews and in paper articles
Expose these inappropriate workplace violations, neopotism and lies.
The Whistleblower program in San Mateo County is a joke. The supervisors got a Whistleblower complaint in February 2024 and one of them crumpled up the one-page document and tossed it in the trash in the supervisors’ chambers. Afterward, somebody dug it out and it’s now been circulated in the sheriff’s office.
This five-point complaint outlines all the things that Judge Cordell would later discover, such as the affair, the trip to Hawaii, the list of employees who didn’t support her in the election, the retaliation and intimidation, the exodus of sworn employees to other agencies, even the dogs urinating on the floor of the sheriff’s office.
The complaint, under point #2, said that “it is also known through the organization that recently retired Lieutenant Dan Guiney retired because of the personal relationship between Aenlle and Corpus. He met with County Executive Callagy to provide proof of the relationship. Callagy allegedly told him that there was nothing he could do. Callagy was also allegedly informed of this inappropriate relationship by retired Assistant Sheriff Jeff Kearnan, who served on Corpus’ Transition Team. Members of the organization have seen Anelle and Corpus come and leave work together on a daily basis. Everyone knows that they went to Hawaii together. Their relationship creates an obvious hostile work environment for employees.”
The letter was addressed to Board President Dave Pine, Board Members, Mr. Callagy, Mr. Nibbelin and HR Director Kiryczun.
It was all there in 2024, yet the board decided to ignore it. Callagy and the others have no excuse for what happened. They knew. Now they want to go after Corpus and Aenlle, and that’s OK, but it’s late and hypocritical.
Elected officials have very little consequences for any action unless the attorney general steps in and he ignores everything or you got o a grand jury or recall… it took a year to get measure a approved then it needs to be pulled through- how else do you suggest an elected sherifd be removed?
There is little anyone can do it is absolutely sick!
Wonder how many other whistleblower complaints ended up in the trash cans of the Board of Supervisors?
He was targeted because he is a lying idiot.
Incompetent too.
Can you sue someone from prison?
“Hello, is this the county whistleblower hotline?”
“Depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“If your complaint is against a top official in the county, then you’ve gotten a wrong number.”
Aenlle this is disgraceful! This is an all-time low, even for him.
Now he’s trying to get sympathy from the Latino population by claiming racism? He had no problem targeting people of color like Carlos Tapia . This guy will never get respect from anyone because he just keeps going lower and lower.. wasting his wife’s money on lawsuits because of his despicable behavior. Get lost loser.
Well he is going to need all the money he can get to survive when this is all done. Has anyone called Caldwell Banker to see if he’s still and employee? It’s amazing how two short people like Sheriff Christy and the Doctor can cause so much damage.
Why hasn’t the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office file charges on these criminals already. Why hasn’t POST decertified Aenlle? How many times can we keep getting punched in the gut by Corpus, Aenlle and Perea. Enough is enough, full stop.
The entire world sees the relationship with Aenlle as one that is inappropriate to employee in any capacity especially a paid executive position. There is no neutrality and favoritism and the Sheriff turns blind eyes allowing Aenlle carte blanche. Everyone can see this except the Sheriff. The Sheriff refuses to work as an independent latina female without Aenlle by her side. It is an unhealthy publicly visible codependent relationship in my opinion. I am sure thousands of others agree.
It would be nice to sink this situation in a recall. However, the sheriffs refuses to do anything productive instead seems to care about her relationship with Aenlle. Why not just move on from Aenlle and focus on what is best for San Mateo county and the county employees and be a collaborative partner?
Mind blowing and so inappropriate to waste county time and funds to expose all of these scenarios. Scenarios that the Sheriff will never take responsibility or accountability for. She wants to walk around denying any wrongdoing- spending money to twist words. A HR complaint she needs to know whistleblower names mind you she doesn’t speak of content. Would rather spend time finding dirt on 39 people to badmouth them. If just 39 people shared witnessed inappropriate behaviors how do you say this is inaccurate and deny it?
The sheriff’s retired judge said the Cordell report raises serious concerns and also says it can’t be the basis for her removal. And both of those things are 100% – the Cordell report did just that as an HR report raised several concerns. Concerns that need further investigation. The county needs to once and for all state the reasons for removal. We the public will hear the evidence snd the Sheriff will get to defend herself with her version.
I hope the removal reasons are so undeniable and without a doubt violations that noone in their right mind would continue to defend. Mismanagement of funds can’t be defended with well other people mismanage funds and buy ice cream machines, massage chairs, $74000 tables, renting vacant buildings- there were no other better alternatives available at the time than to make executive decisions ro do these things.
When someone turns the corner to the shady side of the street constantly- people stop supporting them. That is what has happened watching shady decisions over and over. This is not about being a latina woman. Aenlle is not the most qualified person there is to work at the Sheriff office- he was /is at best a VOLUNTEER RESERVE that was selected because of his friendship with Corpus. Noone else would say they would have made an executive team member position for Aenlle and paid him close to $250k a year. Come on Corpus give it up, ENOUGH already.
This is beyond the pale.
The man has no shame.
When all else fails, play the race card. That’s good for a few million in California.
This guy is a useless idiot. I would like him to release 1 police report he has written or 1 call for service he has handled as a level 1 reserve in the last 17 years. Not dancing around a festival in a cowboy hat or behind the scenes in an office doing “paperwork” to earn those reserve hours, but actual public service.
When the FBI comes to arrest these two, it will come suddenly. Sometimes the FBI allows a white collar criminal or somebody in law enforcement to self-surrender as a courtesy. But in this case, they’re both flight risks. If they get wind the FBI will going to arrest them, they’ll be on a plane in minutes. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve both packed “go bags”. So the arrest will come as a surprise to them. They might be pulling out of a parking lot when all of a sudden, they’re blocked in by federal vehicles and then officers with weapons approach them. They won’t be arrested in their office because they have a new gun safe there, and it will be a standoff like in the old west.
Standard County contracts, including all those signed by Aenlle and revealed in the Cordell report, on page 3 of the contract, under the heading “Compliance with Laws”, explain Aenlle’s obligations and the consequences of conflicts between those contracts and existing laws, including local ordinances and rules. The County Charter nepotism codicil, as well as the various county nepotism policies, take precedence over the contract terms, and arguably invalidate the obligations of the County in those contracts when Aenlle failed to disclose the true nature of his relationship with Corpus.
Quite similarly, the “Hold Harmless” paragraphs on page 2 & 3 of all County Contracts, including Aenlle’s, require him to hold the County harmless, “…from all claims, suits, or actions of every name, kind or description resulting from this agreement…”. Therefore, his own claims—two of them so far—themselves evidence breaches of each of the contracts that Aenlle signed with the County of San Mateo.
Not too smart for someone who holds himself out to be a Ph.D. and well qualified to be in any of the positions in which he found employment or engagement with the County. Not too smart for any counsel preparing those claims on his behalf. Is it that his counsel sees him as a bottomless pit of funding to file such litigation-provoking claims? If the County does sue Aenlle for breaching those contracts through his two claims, while there isn’t much defense, he will certainly need lawyers.
It makes complete sense that little Vicky And Chrissy are filing claims against the county. In their feeble little minds they are trying to do the math and add up all the money that they will have to personally pay for the lawsuit against them.
In addition, consistent with his narcissistic and sociopathic behavior, little Vicky is trying to blame everybody else for his problems.
Based on his Behavior he clearly has a Napoleonic and b power-hungry Complex. He proves this By being a wannabe police officer/deputy. In fact, he could not pass a background investigation to be a real police officer/deputy.
Knowing like Callagy, I can guarantee you that he crossed all of his T’s And dotted all of I’s. Little Vicky And Chrissy are playing ball way out of their league. Callagy is beyond reproach with incredible ethics and is a true Boy Scout.
As far as future prosecution goes, I can guarantee you DA Wagstaffe WHO has also IMPECCABLE DA willl have an air tight case when he decides to file charges.
I Firmly believe the Feds Will also file A similar superceeding Indictment against Little Vicky And Chrissy. Unfortunately, for them, they will not have conjugal visits in federal prison.
Both will still be proclaiming their innocence saying they were targeted because they are Latino and will be the laughingstock of all inmates.
All of the social media blasts And press releases that Chrissy is making will not save her for him. The walls are coming down.
Oh dear this munchkin has lost his marbles. Victor was never qualified to be Chief Of Staff, he couldn’t even pass the FTO, he wore elevator shoes to look more “authoritative” , his narcissistic Napoleon complex resulted in earning no respect from anyone in the SO. He and Corpus retaliated against anyone that questioned their actions.
Now he wants 15 mill??
I am so sick and tired of this nonsense “I am a latina…I am a latino” NOBODY cares!!! What we DO know is Corpus, Aenlle and all the corrupt clowns around them are flat out CRIMINALS!!!!! They need to be brought to justice via the courts! They are corrupt, incompetent, vengeful, unprofessional, unqualified. There are not enough adjectives to describe the utter train wreck they all are!! GET THEM OUT!!!!!Save what is left of the Office! Wagstaffe, P.O.S.T, Attorney General…where the hell are you????????