BY ADRIANA HERNANDEZ
Daily Post Staff Writer
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus denied Monday (July 14) that she suspended a sergeant because he provided evidence to outside investigators who concluded she was mishandling deputy misconduct complaints. But the sergeant’s union says it’s part of her pattern of retaliation.
Sgt. Joe Fava was placed on administrative leave on July 7 for “matters of accountability,” according to a statement from Corpus, who is the subject of two efforts to remove her from office for misconduct. But Sergeants’ Union President Hector Acosta said Corpus only enforces accountability when it suits her narrative.
“If you are in good graces with her, she won’t hold you accountable,” Acosta said. “If she feels that you’ve gone against her, you’re a target.”
Acosta said that Corpus used the same reason to place others on leave, and it has become her “go-to response.”
Fava was placed on leave the same day the Daily Post published a story alleging Corpus delayed or interfered with internal investigations — including one involving a deputy who allowed a teenager to vape in a patrol car, and another involving a jail guard accused of forcing inmates to dance “in degrading and provocative ways.”
The story was based on a report by attorney Jan Little of Keker Van Nest & Peters, a law firm that had been hired by the county Board of Supervisors to investigate Corpus.
Pattern of retaliation alleged
Acosta said Corpus is continuing a pattern with Fava and he named other victims of her retaliation.
On Nov. 12, Corpus ordered the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, head of the deputies’ union, on allegations of timecard fraud. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe later determined that there was no evidence of fraud by Tapia.
However, Corpus has kept Tapia on leave — in which he’s required to stay in his home during business hours — while the Sheriff’s Office conduct an administrative investigation.
Tapia, in his capacity as the union head, was a public critic of Corpus.
Corpus ordered Capt. Brian Philip to arrest Tapia. But Philip decided to resign rather than carry out her orders, which he felt were unlawful.
Both Tapia and Philip have sued the Sheriff’s Office, Corpus and the county government. Both say they were victims of retaliation.
Ryan Monaghan, who was fired by Corpus as assistant sheriff, has also filed a claim against the county, alleging retaliation after he cooperated with retired Judge LaDoris Cordell’s investigation into the sheriff’s office.
“It’s all calculated when she does things,” Acosta said. “(Fava) cooperated and she’s going to come up with something he did and use it as an excuse to walk him out.”
Acosta said that Corpus gave no specific reason for putting Sgt. Fava on leave, and that he is looking for answers. He said that Corpus often says she feels like people are against her because she is doing the right thing, but wants to know what the right thing is to her.
“It’s just fluff catchphrases that she uses. She has been nothing but unfair to many of us. There is zero transparency,” Acosta said.
Confidential documents revealed
Acosta said that if Corpus truly cared about transparency, she wouldn’t have made any documents private — documents that were later made public by her attorneys.
Corpus’s attorneys had argued that court documents in a civil suit she filed regarding an attempt by the county Board of Supervisors to remove her from office should be kept confidential. Then, on July 1, her attorneys posted those documents on the Superior Court website, where they could be viewed publicly. Her attorneys at the Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney law firm have declined to say why they posted those documents.
“The only reason they got released is because of a blunder on her attorney’s part,” Ascota said. “The hearing is coming up, let’s make that transparent.”
The Board of Supervisors have scheduled a removal hearing for Corpus on Aug. 18-29, according to county spokesman Marshall Wilson. Corpus has asked to have the hearing held behind closed doors.
Separately, the county’s civil grand jury has filed four “accusations” against Corpus that could lead to her removal from office. A judge will schedule a trial for Corpus and a jury will determine if she should be removed.
‘A very uncomfortable place’
Acosta, the sergeants’ union president, said Corpus shouldn’t be believed. A report by the Oppenheimer Investigations Group, released to the public on May 15, found Corpus wasn’t truthful when she accused County Manager Mike Callagy of misconduct.
Acosta said the sheriff’s office has been suffering and just wants to have a fresh start and heal. He said he hopes the board of supervisors will expedite the process.
“It’s a very uncomfortable place to work right now and it’s scary,” Acosta said.
Related stories
• July 12 — Sheriff Corpus puts sergeant on leave
• July 10 — Report says sheriff concealed information in order to have critic arrested
• July 7 — Report faults sheriff over delayed officer discipline, interference in investigations
• July 2 — Confidential documents in Sheriff Corpus case posted on court website
• July 2 — Email shows sheriff directed purchase of massage chairs, despite what she told supervisors
• July 1 — Sheriff’s crime stats in dispute
• June 30 — Grand jury returns ‘accusation’ against sheriff — she faces trial over whether she should remain in office
• June 25 — Sheriff questioned about $600,000 TV, $74,000 conference room table
• June 18 — The assistant sheriff who Corpus tried to fire is working again
• June 18 — Deputies union president sues sheriff over false arrest
Welp looks like Sgt Acosta is next to be placed on leave… Sgt Acosta, please contact Barker’s attorneys so you can be ready for the Corpus Cartel.
Individuals associated with the so-called “Corpus Cartel” have benefited from the creation of new positions and promotions, many of which appear to involve close associates, including friends and family members. There are also concerns regarding overtime charges that have not been subject to adequate audit or oversight, potentially resulting in unnecessary costs to county taxpayers.
Currently, some of these individuals are reportedly on stress-related leave. This situation underscores the need for a thorough audit of the Sheriff’s Office by the Board of Supervisors. An independent review may reveal irregularities in position classifications, timekeeping practices, and departmental expenditures.
Corpus is a blatant and pathological liar who will do anything to get revenge on those who have exposed her corruption. She has no justified reason for putting Sergeant Fava on leave other than something she has trumped up to justify he vindictiveness. If she had a reason, it would have been provided to Fava and the OSS. No explanation was provided and that tells you everything you need to know. She knows there is no recourse and she will burn the place down as she is dragged out the door kicking and screaming.
Hey Victina!!! Nobody and I mean NOBODY believes you!!!!! You and little Victor are completely corrupt.
Corpus denying that her and Victor are not in a relationship is laughable. “Don’t leave me baby.”
Corpus and her cronies think they can deflect and gaslight their way to some kind of redemption. It will never happen. I would not put it past Corpus ( or one of her few braindead minions) to plant evidence on an enemy ..she really is that slimy and vindictive. She is losing her hair and looks like she needs to be hospitalized. Regardless, nothing will erase the mountains of evidence against her. She is utterly repulsive.
She has admitted to a 18year “friendship” with Aenlle and has not admitted there is anything wrong with hiring him kn the executive team or that she has looked with a blind eye at nauseum to wrongdoing on Aenlle’s part.
She hired her executive team and when it came down to being ethical and following policies and procedures she stopped playing by the rules and know calls that modern reform. Well guess what Corpus has rules to follow too, she can’t just swoop in and violate civil rights and labor laws. She makes me sick
They need to figure out how to fast track this insanity she is not mentally stable or fit to run a Sheriff office. She will admit to nothing even with emails, texts and videos to prove her wrong. Especially won’t admit to testimonies of respected personnel- now they are called politically motivated. How completely immoral. You can watch her very own videos and her stories change, she lies to the public. She discusses personnel publicly . When you work with 800 people you cannot just puck and chose people to work with and fire the ones who disagree with you and call them part of a gang.
Someone get a a medical on Corpus and see if she would pass at this point. She is unfit to serve anywhere.
Why do the taxpayers pay for Corpus’ legal representation?
Corpus should pay out-of-pocket for her lawyers, without payment or reimbursement from any public fund.
One word, “D’oh”.
I wonder if all cronies in the Corpus Cartel realize that if proof can be established that the employer maliciously violated the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights (POBR) with the intent to injure the officer, that officer will be entitled to up to $25,000 for each violation (Cal. Gov’t Code §3309.5.)? Of course, a lawsuit would need to be filed in Superior Court to obtain relief.
Yet if the case is proven, the court should render appropriate injunctive, or other extraordinary relief to remedy the POBR violation. Rhetorically, I wonder if that $25K fine is per day? When punitive damages might be incurred? Who signed the notice of administrative leave? Who might have delivered said notice to Sgt. Fava? I imagine they will soon be hearing, “Will the defendants please rise and face the court.”
Also rhetorically, what incredible things can happen, or be uncovered, next in the ongoing saga and exploits of the Corpus Cartel cronies?