A critic of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus — Carlos Tapia, the head of the deputy’s union — was arrested today (Nov. 12) by the sheriff’s office on charges alleging he falsified time cards, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Tapia, a deputy sheriff, was booked into jail for felony grand theft and theft by false pretenses. He has since been released on $10,000 bond, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker.
“Sheriff Christina Corpus’ decision to arrest San Mateo DSA President Carlos Tapia has all the earmarks of whistleblower retaliation, particularly given that retired Judge LaDoris Cordell investigative report regarding the DSA’s complaints against civilian chief of staff Victor Aenlle is expected to be released in a matter of minutes,” the union said in a statement this afternoon.
“This is not a coincidence,” the statement said. “Existing policy mandates that any allegation of criminal misconduct against Sheriff’s Office employees must be referred to the District Attorney’s Office to avoid just such conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in the impartial application of the law. The Sheriff abused her power and the public trust by violating this long-standing conflict of interest policy and arresting the union president.”
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said his office has not gotten the case from the sheriff’s office yet and had only learned of the investigation this morning.
Tapia is on administrative leave, Spiker said.
This arrest occurred just hours before county supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller were set to hold a press conference to release a report by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell.
Cordell was asked to investigate complaints about the Sheriff’s Office.
The press conference was set to be held tomorrow (Nov. 13) at 11 a.m., but was moved up to today.
Tapia has been a thorn in the side of Corpus recently. His union along with the sergeants union voted on Sept. 19 to approve a resolution of “no confidence” in Corpus’s chief of staff, Victor Aenlle.
Corpus, who was elected in November 2022, has defended her chief of staff, saying that her employees have made assertions about Aenlle “that are simply not true.”
Also in September, Tapia’s union along with the sergeants union filed a complaint with the California Public Employment Relations Board, or PERB, over a change Corpus made regarding mandatory overtime deputies must put in.
This is a developing story, keep checking the Post for more details.
The Sheriff’s Office went outside their own policy to investigate one of their own who just happened to be the union head and a thorn in the Sheriff’s side. The Sheriff’s Office’s own policy (available on their website) says they “shall” refer potential criminal cases to the DA’s Office, but this just happened to be done in-house? Also, was this a lengthy investigation which resulted in DA and judge review, or was in a “fresh” arrest? This reeks of retaliation.
OMG!!!!! She had him arrested after she found out virtually ALL the allegations against her and Aenlle were SUSTAINED by the independant judge!!!! This is criminal retaliation! She needs to be brought before a judge!
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF’s STAFF !
As A past San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association President, Executive Board Member and also a recently Retired Deputy Sheriff,
I am saddened and heartbroken to hear of more Disparaging incidents within the Office-
I ran for Sheriff and endorsed the past 2 Candidates in an effort to be transparent about the Past Administration, who frequently conducted these types of Negative Behaviors.
I certainly hope this is NOT Retaliation by Sheriff Corpus for the vote of NO Confidence.
I wish the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Office – DSA + Sgt’s Associations Members, the Staff and especially the SMCDSA President Deputy Carlos Tapia – prayers and MY full support, respect and energy to persevere and let the truth prevail.
So CP 290 Bill made the arrest because the other captain refused because he knew it was unlawful then resigned. I’m Very disappointed in computer bill as he was once in a predicament and was able to wiggle his way out of it. He has no backbone and is a pawn for Victor. I’m so happy this report came out exposing all of corpus and Victor’s affair and their demented regime. Borat and Fox are also a disgrace. Get rid of all of them and being Bolanos back.
Another massive lawsuit that will cost the County millions. Go away Christina and Victor, you seem to be drunk.
As noted in Allegation 3(d), a sworn lieutenant employee (#18) and a civilian employee
(#15) interviewed three candidates for the Professional Standards Bureau, they selected
Candidate #3 as best qualified for the position. However, they were informed by
Undersheriff Perea that it couldn’t be Candidate #3 and that it had to be another
candidate. Candidate #3 had previously failed Aenlle in the Field Training Program. In
the presence of the sworn employee (#18) and Sheriff Corpus, Aenlle said, “We’re going
to move him [Candidate #3].”
Do you need more evidence of Victor failing the fto program Palo Alto daily post?!!!