BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
A report released yesterday cleared San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy of any bullying or retaliation against embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus while also showing how Callagy and others tried to support Corpus, but she consistently appeared to choose to take the side of her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously voted to release a 166-page report investigating Corpus’s complaints against Callagy after hiring Christina Ro-Connolly of the Oppenheimer Investigations Group. County officials refused to release how much it cost. County spokeswoman Effie Verducci said the cost of the report was “privileged” information and would not be subject to release.
Ro-Connolly’s investigation focused on Corpus’s main complaint against Callagy, alleging that he asked her to tell him who and when she was dating anyone within the county government.
In a report by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, she found that Corpus had an “intimate relationship” with Aenlle. Corpus and Aenlle have both denied allegations of any romantic entanglement.
“Callagy said his interactions with Corpus were consistently aimed at supporting her leadership and the county’s operations. He wanted her to be successful and believed she could have been a ‘rock star’ sheriff. However, he felt she ultimately gave all her power away to Aenlle, which led to her professional challenges,” Ro-Connolly wrote.
Who testified
Ro-Connolly’s report says most of the Corpus’s allegations are not sustained due to a lack of evidence. She interviewed 10 people between March 11 and April 23.
Corpus did not testify, instead she responded to Ro-Connolly’s questions via email. Corpus postponed her original meeting with Ro-Connolly because she wanted her attorney present. When it was rescheduled, her attorney, Thomas Mazzucco, ended the interview before it began because it was the day before the county’s special election on March 4, where voters decided to let the supervisors remove Corpus, according to Ro-Connolly.
“I was not allowed to record my interview when I was prepared to provide them with answers to their questions,” Corpus said in an email to the Post.
Corpus said it is not true that she wasn’t open to testifying under oath.
Aenlle was interviewed and said “Callagy routinely made decisions without verifying facts, conducting proper investigations or following established legal procedures,” according to the report.
Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who acted as the board’s representative in November following the county’s release of the Cordell report, was interviewed. She said she tried to call and text Corpus, offering support when she raised the allegations against Callagy, the report stated. After reading a letter Corpus had written about the allegations, Corzo supported investigating the complaints.
Labor Relations Analyst Katy Roberts, who has worked at the Sheriff’s Office for the past eight years, said that “she learned that she could not always trust the information Corpus was giving her,” according to the report.
Divisions in transition team
Paul Kunkle, who was on Corpus’ transition team, and a former captain for the sheriff’s office told Ro-Connolly that he had been friends with Corpus since 2006, but their relationship changed after Aenlle was in the picture, according to the report. He left the Sheriff’s Office in February 2024 because he didn’t feel needed in the department when Aenlle was there.
Jeff Kearnan, who was an Assistant Sheriff under Carlos Bolanos and part of Corpus’ transition team, said that he supported Corpus, but he noticed that she started lying when Aenlle came around. In one instance, he, Kunkle and former Lt. Dan Guiney were on a Zoom call with Corpus, who said she was alone. But the three men noticed Aenlle’s reflection in her car’s sunroof.
Ex-Undersheriff testifies
Former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung, knew of Callagy before coming to the Sheriff’s Office, and said he was recruited by Aenlle to join the sheriff’s executive team. He said that “things started to turn” after “Aenlle interjected himself on matters outside his sphere of expertise and experience,” according to the report.
San Carlos City Manager Jeff Maltbie, said that he had a rocky relationship with Corpus after the Sheriff’s Office organized groups to address flooding in the county, but excluded San Carlos, the report states.
Maltbie also said he had problems with Corpus because she tried to make changes to San Carlos’ contract with the sheriff’s office, which provides police for the town, in the middle of the contract’s term.
Others who were testified included resident James Johnson, Deputies’ Union President Carlos Tapia, county HR Director Rocio Kiryczun, deputy HR director Michelle Kuka and Deputy County Executive Adam Ely. Ro-Connolly interviewed everyone once, except for Callagy. She interviewed Callagy three times under oath, according to former Caltrain CEO and attorney Jim Hartnett.
What about the claims?
In March Hartnett represented Callagy in a $10.5 million claim against Corpus and Aenlle, claiming they made false and defamatory statements about him and damaged his reputation.
Hartnett is also one of the leaders of the recall effort to remove Corpus. He believes that Callagy’s claim is substantiated, but is unsure of what decision the county will take.
Callagy did not respond to the Post regarding the release of the report he wanted to be made public.
“Mr. Callagy fully and completely cooperated with the investigation, sat for multiple interviews, offered to testify under oath and provided all documents the investigator requested. Even though Sheriff Corpus requested the investigation and totally at odds with any normal process, not only did she not offer to testify under oath, but she also refused to sit for an interview and would only provide answers in writing to written questions,” Hartnett said in an email to the Post.
Ro-Connolly’s report stated that Callagy did interfere with Corpus’s decision to fire Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan.
Corpus will re-file
Corpus will likely take information from the report and re-file her $10 million claim against the county, said her attorney Brad Gage.
“Me and Sheriff Corpus stand by our allegations and concerns regarding the attempts to interfere with Sheriff Corpus’s authority to run the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office as the elected sheriff and we plan to aggressively pursue that in the appropriate area,” Gage said.
Gage represented Corpus in December when she filed a $10 million claim against the county alleging retaliation and discrimination as she is the first Latina female sheriff.
“While I am not surprised by the outcome of another investigation commissioned by the same parties trying to remove me from office, I stand by my allegations and concerns regarding Mr. Callagy interfering with my authority to run the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office as the elected sheriff,” Corpus said in an email to the Post.
Gage said the claim Corpus filed will now be reassessed, as this report is “further evidence of discrimination, harassment and retaliation” against her.
Ro-Connolly’s report is the second investigation the county has made regarding allegations about Corpus.
Second report
The board commissioned a report by Cordell for $200,000, according to the county. The county has refused multiple Public Records Act Requests from the Post and Corpus’s attorneys for a copy of Cordell’s contract. Corpus is now suing to get a copy of the contract.
Corpus refused to step down after Cordell’s 400-page report was released in November.
Cordell interviewed 40 past and current sheriff’s employees, many of whom filed HR complaints against Corpus and Aenlle.
“Sheriff Corpus violated the office’s conflict of interest policy when she hired Aenlle; she violated the policy when she repeatedly recommended pay increases for him,” Cordell wrote in the report.
Corpus held a press conference on Sept. 22, where she blamed Callagy for the labor problems in the sheriff’s office and for overstepping when she fired Monaghan.
That same day, Corpus claimed in a letter to then-Supervisor Warren Slocum that Callagy had bullied her and undermined her ability to do her job, leading to Ro-Connolly’s investigation.
What’s next
This comes as the supervisors consider whether to fire Corpus for misconduct. On March 6, supervisors approved a removal process that could take four to six months. The Post asked county officials if this report could affect the process, but they said it was separate, with no further explanation.
Curious what twisted words the Sheriff had to come up with sustain her accusations for this one. I hope they release this to see how juvenile and immature this woman is. The lack of accountability this Sheriff has for her very own actions reflect in the mud slinging betrayals she constantly fires off. She has the audacity to publicaly humiliate a respected county executive meanwhile lie to the public about the inappropriate behavior she is choosing. She hired at very least a close friend with a high salary who is a REALTOR and volunteer reserve and she defends Aenlle to no end.
Expose these people and get rid of the county corruption NOW.
This woman should have been forced to resign long ago, why is the board of Supervisors taking so long to?
I am sure the Sheriff supporters will somehow think that the Sheriff’s own emails are wrong and that the Sheriff isn’t caught lying to the public about her involvement in the overtime.
At some point, do you sit back and hear the arrogance in Aenelle’s tone- he actually thinks he has the right to review anyone’s performance- he is not anyone’s supervisor, nor should he have the right to evaluate their employment. Blatant evidence that Aenlle influences the Sheriff’s decisions based on Aenlle’s trust issues and personal opinions of people. Aenlle reached out the the executive team, interviewed them and influenced the hiring of Hsuing and Monaghan. And a 3 hour meeting referenced as too long and citing grounds for termination? What? Why is Aenlle being placed as a confidant to hearing about staff employment? He is a reserve and was hired as chief of staff.
Considering the executive team, DSA and OSS all issued statements supporting Ryan Monaghan; I don’t find that anyone in the the deputy or captain ranks didn’t like Monaghan or that any of them were annoyed with a long meeting. Perhaps this reflects more Aenlle’e jealousy issues than anything- since he is not a sworn Deputy nor can he be qualified to be an Assistant Sheriff.
If anything people should be reading through the lies of Corpus and Aenlle with this report.
The Oppenheimer report is an insightful read. Perhaps what resonates most are the following quotations:
• “The undersigned was scheduled to speak to Corpus on February 13, 2025, but she postponed her interview that same day, explaining that she wanted her attorney present. Her interview was rescheduled to March 3, 2025. As the interview was about to begin, Corpus’ attorneys ended the interview and asked to reschedule for a later date. [Footnote 2] After making several attempts to reschedule her interview, Corpus declined to meet with the undersigned, citing Callagy’s initiation of a claim of defamation against her.”
• Footnote 2, in pertinent part: “On the day of her March 3, 2025 interview with the undersigned, Mazzucco ended the interview before it began, citing to Measure A, a ballot measure asking the voters to give the County Board of Supervisors the authority to remove the Sheriff from office for cause. The special election for Measure A was held on March 4, 2025, the day after Corpus’ interview with the undersigned. Mazzucco cited to the stress Corpus was under due to Measure A and asked to reschedule the interview for a later date.”
• Footnote 6: “Aenlle was accompanied by his attorneys, Jason Fellner and Andrew Browning. Aenlle’s interview began, but his attorneys declined to proceed with the interview before the undersigned could ask any substantive questions. Fellner expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the investigatory process. Aenlle provided written responses to the undersigned’s written questions instead. (See Exhibit 5.)”
• “Corpus requested that the undersigned speak to Dr. Victor Aenlle; Undersheriff Dan Perea; Stacey Stevenson, Sheriff’s Deputy Director of Administration & Finance; and James Johnson, County resident. [Footnote 11]”
• Footnote 11, in pertinent part: “The undersigned attempted to speak to both Perea and Stevenson, but they both stopped responding to communications regarding their interviews. As noted above, the undersigned scheduled an interview with Aenlle, but he declined to proceed and submitted written responses instead.”
• “…most of the allegations above were not sustained…”
• “Without additional details for the basis of Corpus’ allegation, there is insufficient evidence that Callagy treated Corpus differently than others because she is Latina.”
I’m shocked. The county hired somebody to investigate one of their own, and he was totally cleared. What a surprise. What’s more, the sun will be rising in east tomorrow morning and setting in the west. Stay tuned for more breaking news.
You tell ‘em, Victina…
You tell ‘em, Victina…
Corpus is the one who asked the county to hire an independent investigation. What’s not surprising is when the truth comes out not in her favor she simply pulls out the same old race “I’m a Latina being bullied” card.
She wanted names and now she has them. Respected members of SO employees names revealed. Godspeed Callagy!
Dan Noyes didn’t do a story about this tonight. Wonder why?
Jeramy
Dan Noyes has proven time and time again he is colluding with Corpus with his reporting on stories. No other news agency wanted to drag Monaghan through the mud. Corpus should not be publicly talking about employment personel records- this is LIKELY against California law and and intimidating to people that fear speaking up. Corpus brought up allegations on Callegy and now that the investigation says her accusations have no merit she asks the public to look at her wrongfully terminated employee that her own HR department spoke in favor of Monaghan and said he had no performance issues documented. Monaghan’s supervisor Hsiung also confirmed his strong performance and confirmed there were no employment issues.
So the “good cause” firing Corpus speaks of is that she needed an executive team to not have more evidence of the Corpus Aenlle Parea corruption. Focus on yourself Corpus- time to leave the county.
Hopefully, the DA or someone does something to help all of these people being wrong. What the heck is wrong with the Board of Supervisors- they are protecting the Sheriff and turning their back on 90,000 people and mostly turning their back on the sheriff department employees that have been wrongfully arrested, terminated, retaliated against and wronged daily. Shameful this is what the BOS is spending their time doing nothing.
The sheriff is a juvenile bully on her best day. Woefully unqualified to be a Sheriff, parent and wife.
Dan Noyes did cover this development and interviewed Corpus on the Oppenheimer report development. Of course, the two twisted the alleged news piece to try to throw Monaghan under the proverbial bus, based on his income (and Corpus not understanding the application of labor laws and basic management principles) and Corpus’ lack of knowledge of what he is presently doing. Monaghan could be developing an 100-day plan to begin the process of mending SMSO. Instead, Corpus asserted Monaghan does nothing but collect a paycheck; of course that was Corpus’ choice to begin with.
Corpus claims “good cause” for her attempted termination of Monaghan, yet she only made vague assertions of the ‘good cause’ for his termination in her responses to the Oppenheimer investigation. Corpus could provide no evidence of verbal counselings, no documented counselings, no proof of remediation or training of Monaghan, no performance improvement program, no performance evaluations—all required for progressive discipline. No requirement to behave differently than he did during his tenure.
Corpus asserts she doesn’t know what Monaghan does in his paid Administrative Leave status. Yet she didn’t offer any evidence of outreach to Callagy, or Iliana Rodriguez, to coordinate anything concerning Monaghan while he is in that status. Corpus did not assert any collaborative requests to the County Executive’s Office to use Monaghan’s undeniable proficiencies. No inquiries by Corpus as to what might be an acceptable assignment for Monaghan while the matter is resolved. No suggestions by Corpus of anything to either build Monaghan’s skills, or use any of his proficiencies that supported his success as a police chief prior to accepting the SMSO job. Corpus had nothing to offer in any way concerning how she worked to resolve any of these issues that she broadly and vaguely asserts.
At some point, when Corpus stands for sentencing concerning her deeds, she will ask for leniency. Yet she will have nothing to offer to support any leniency. Corpus has not accepted any responsibility for any of her actions. She appears to have been consistently misleading, if not blatantly untruthful; she shows no remorse whatsoever. The month of June promises to bring her final gloom. May the Grand Jury be wise in consideration of the evidence presented to them. May the wheels of Justice continue in a more swift pace.
The Oppenheimer report is the coup de grâce for “VicTina.”
Of course Dr. Little Man and Christy agreed to be interviewed for the Oppenheimer Group investigation…and then backed out at the last minute, stating they would provide written responses to the questions being asked of them! Neither of them is articulate (or smart) enough to provide ANY measure of coherent, intelligent, informed responses in an in-person interview! They need their attorneys…or Chat GPT…or both…to concoct the ridiculous web of lies and inaccuracies which are the construct of their ad nauseum responses. Their continued arrogance and bald-faced untruths are astonishing, but hey, they’re in the final throes of this sordid saga that is going to ruin both of their lives when all is said and done. They’ve got nothing to lose (which means EVERYTHING to lose) by clinging to this failed administration and Christy is still collecting a huge paycheck, which she doesn’t deserve a damn penny of. What these two lovebirds deserve is an extended stay in 3W.
I could never imagine a Cult of Two running my beloved Sheriff’s Office.
“I stand by, you know, my complaint. Why would I make something up like that?”
Because you lie with every breath you take.
I think people can read through all of these distractions the Sheriff is trying to pull out of her a– … Do you really think Corpus has a say in her replacement. Nice attempt to try and smear campaign the one person people still respect in the Sheriff office. Monaghan isn’t going to get pulled behind your Dan Noyes ABC7 smear campaign. Hopefully, the Board of Supervisors isn’t intimidated by weak people like Corpus and Aenlle.
Go plan your next pitch over your 3 day weekend with Aenlle.
I am confused the coach picks the team right? Did corpus really say callagy told her to hire monaghan? Or did corpus use monaghan to influence callagy and help her get aenlle hired? Aenlle hired the executive team Hsiung and Monaghan were contacted and interviewed by aenlle. Then they passed and could talk to Corpus- callagy never had any part in hiring the executive team.
Let me ask you this – just because you work with people does mean you respect them or protect them. After working together for decades and still respecting someone should mean something positive correct? So Callagy and Monaghan worked together along their tenure at san mateo police department, callagy retired as a deputy chief and monghan left s a lieutenant. Professional working relationship- I m certain they never traveled to Hawaii together and that they don’t share meals and they don’t pick up each others kids from school. Do you see a difference in what is an appropriate working relationship and what is a violation and constitutes a conflict or nepotism? The relationship of Aenlle and Corpus is crustal clear and inappropriate.
So let’s wrap this up. No longer needing monaghan to aid in destroying the sheriff office corpus fired him because- monaghan is qualified, ethical and follows labor laws and wouldn’t be part of potentially illegal activities. The votes of no confidence were on aenlle, corpus and parea. Never hsiung and monaghan.
Then the vision of aenlle as an assistant sheriff got shattered when california POST had to tell corpus aenlle is not qualified yet his gold letters on the empty assistant sheriff office still have victor Aenlle on there. And the website still lists aenlle as an executive team member.
Wow…the people of SMCO should be shocked! Yet more proof that our duly elected princess (little Ms. Corpus) has lied once again. Criminal malfeasance, countless HR complaints, significant fiscal irregularities and yet she goes on without a care or concern. Voters, organized labor, and various civic bodies were sold a bag of goods in regards to Measure A. Nothing is being done by Ray M. and team, other than blow hot air around at public meetings and talk about the actions of which they are too fearful to really undertake in removing the sheriff from her position. As long as no one has the courage to stand-up to Corpus, she’ll continue to do whatever she’s pleases (lawful or not) and the people of San Mateo County will get the trash they voted for.