The San Mateo County deputy sheriff’s union on Monday called for embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus to immediately resign in the wake of a civil grand jury’s accusation of willful or corrupt misconduct in office.
“By refusing to step down, Sheriff Corpus continues to waste millions of dollars in taxpayer money,” the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association said Monday in a news release. “She believes her own lies and has shown that she has no integrity. She does not deserve to lead a law enforcement agency.”
Issued Friday, the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury accuses Corpus of a conflict of interest pertaining to the hiring and supervision of her department’s former executive director of administration, Victor Aenlle, with whom she had a close personal relationship.
The grand jury also accused Corpus of three counts of retaliation, pertaining to the termination of former assistant sheriff Ryan Monaghan, the transfer of Captain Brian Philip, and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, the president of the deputy sheriff’s association.
The accusation is latest action against Corpus, who was essentially fired last week by the San Mateo County board of Supervisors, after an independent investigation found Corpus broke the law while performing her duties. Corpus’ lawyers have said she’ll appeal the board’s decision.
On Monday, her attorney Thomas Mazzucco issued a statement, saying the civil grand jury’s accusations were “related to politically motivated complaints by the upper echelons and union leadership” at the sheriff’s office.
“Sheriff Corpus stands by the integrity of her decisions and welcomes the opportunity to address and refute these claims through the appropriate legal and administrative channels,” Mazzucco said.
Weeks of hearings
The grand jury action followed a month-long hearing during which 32 witnesses, including Corpus, testified under oath. The hearing was conducted by the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, which advised the civil grand jury.
Corpus is scheduled to appear in court July 15 to answer the accusations. She’s entitled to a jury trial.
The Board of Supervisors said Corpus allegedly neglected her job duties repeatedly and obstructed an investigation into her conduct. Another board-commissioned investigation into Corpus last year said the sheriff used racial and homophobic slurs and engaged in nepotism, false arrest and retaliation.
“She believes her own lies and has shown that she has no integrity. She does not deserve to lead a law enforcement agency.” San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
“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.
Corpus has denied the allegations and refused calls to resign.
Her attorneys said the process and investigations have been “fatally flawed” and accused Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller of being biased for comments made publicly about Corpus.
San Mateo County voters in March approved Measure A, an amendment to the county charter allowing supervisors to remove a sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote.
Corpus was the county’s first woman and Latina sheriff after being elected in 2022. She pushed for law enforcement reform and transparency during her campaign.