EMBATTLED SAN MATEO COUNTY Sheriff Christina Corpus could be out of her job this Tuesday when the Board of Supervisors will consider making a final decision regarding her removal.
Supervisors will convene at Tuesday’s Board meeting to discuss the potential removal of Corpus after a judge sent a letter to the Board on Monday, which noted a “preponderance of evidence” supporting grounds for removal of the elected sheriff.
Judge James Emerson sent his advisory opinion 38 days after a two-week hearing he oversaw. The hearing, which was a part of the Board’s lengthy process to determine if there was cause for removal, featured testimony from dozens of witnesses and gave Corpus the opportunity to defend herself.
Tuesday’s meeting will be the culmination of nearly a year of public turmoil plaguing Corpus and the Sheriff’s Office.
In November 2024, the Board urged Corpus to step down as sheriff after the results of an independent investigation it commissioned. The 400-page report, conducted by retired judge LaDoris Cordell, alleged that Corpus had an inappropriate relationship with her chief of staff and fostered a culture of intimidation and retaliation in the Sheriff’s Office.
Corpus argued that she was the victim of a “good ol’ boys club” that targeted her for her Latina identity and for trying to modernize the Sheriff’s Office.
Instead of holding a recall election, the Board took the unprecedented step of holding a special election to adopt a charter amendment that would grant the Board temporary power to remove the sheriff.
Measure A, which voters passed overwhelmingly in March, allowed the Board to oust Corpus for causes including violation of any law related to the sheriff’s duties, neglect of sheriff’s duties, or misappropriation of public funds.
In Emerson’s advisory opinion, he upheld allegations of Corpus engaging in retaliation, authorizing the unlawful arrest of a sheriff’s union president, and having a conflict of interest in the hiring of her former chief of staff Victor Aenlle.
Citing the county charter, Emerson wrote: “Based upon the evidence and argument presented, it is the undersigned Hearing Officer’s opinion that the county had cause, under Section 412.5, to remove appellant Sheriff Corpus.”
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and take place in the Board Chambers at 500 County Center in Redwood City. Supervisors will first meet in closed session on the potential removal before moving to open session to take a vote on a final decision.
To be removed, four out of five supervisors must vote in favor. If the resolution moves forward, Corpus will be ousted “effective immediately,” according to the agenda item.
