The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors says it’s over for embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus, but the sheriff plans to appeal the decision.
Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to boot Corpus from office after county Chief Probation Officer John Keene, appointed by the board to oversee a pre-removal conference, recommended her removal following an independent investigation that alleged the sheriff violated the law while performing her duties.
Corpus allegedly neglected her job duties repeatedly and obstructed an investigation into her conduct, the findings by law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP said. Another board-commissioned investigation into Corpus last year alleged that the sheriff used racial and homophobic slurs and engaged in nepotism, false arrest and retaliation.
“This is a very regrettable chapter in the history of San Mateo County and the taxpayers are paying a very heavy price,” Supervisor Jackie Speier said at Tuesday’s special meeting.
The full details of Keene’s recommendation and the Notice of the Intent to Remove, which outlines allegations of misconduct and was approved by the board on June 5, have not been made public.
Corpus has denied the allegations against her and refused calls to resign.
Her attorneys said the removal process and investigations have been “fatally flawed” and accused Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller of being biased for comments made publicly about Corpus.
Ready to appeal
But Corpus isn’t giving up yet, her attorneys said.
Corpus plans to “exhaust all appeals,” said Thomas Mazzucco, one of the sheriff’s attorneys. “We will take it as far as we need to take it.”
The sheriff can appeal the Board of Supervisors’ decision within five days and that would set the stage for an evidentiary hearing before a neutral officer, the county said.
“This is a very regrettable chapter in the history of San Mateo County and the taxpayers are paying a very heavy price.” Supervisor Jackie Speier
The board’s decision comes months after San Mateo County voters approved Measure A, an amendment to the county charter that allows supervisors to remove a sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote.
Corpus took over as the county’s first woman and Latina sheriff after being elected in 2022. She pushed for law enforcement reform and transparency during her campaign.