The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday called on Sheriff Christina Corpus to resign based on recommendations from an independent investigation into allegations of abuse of power in her department.
According to a release issued by the board, retired California Supreme Court Justice LaDoris Cordell’s investigative report revealed additional allegations of harassment, retaliation, use of racist and homophobic slurs and conflicts of interest.
Corpus and her chief of staff Victor Aenlle are also accused of a personal relationship.
The report concluded by recommending that “Sheriff Corpus resign and Victor Aenlle’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization.”
Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller held a news conference Tuesday to highlight the public release of Cordell’s report.
“Judge Cordell’s independent investigation contains findings unprecedented in the history of San Mateo County government,” Mueller said. “The reprehensible conduct of the sheriff and her chief of staff requires full transparency and immediate action.”
On Tuesday evening, the sheriff spoke to reporters about the independent investigation into her office and denied the allegations.
“Like many of you, I am shocked by the outright defamation of two members of the board this afternoon. No one will call me a racist or a homophobe. These are people who have a vendetta against me,” Corpus said. “I’m disgusted at how low these people will go.”
She then defended herself regarding the allegations, claiming that anyone who knows her knows that she would never use racist terms and was “incapable of doing so.”
“Racism is abhorrent and despicable. As a woman of color, this deeply disturbs me,” she said.
Sheriff Corpus said the attacks against her happened because she stands for change and responsibility.
Earlier Tuesday, Sheriff Corpus held her first press conference to announce the arrest of Carlos Tapia, president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
“No one is above the law. We are committed to accountability at every level. While these actions are difficult, they are necessary to uphold the integrity and trust of our office and our community,” said Sheriff’s Corpus.
Although the sheriff’s announcement did not include details about the arrest, the Mercury News reported that Tapia turned himself in on charges of grand theft.
Tapia spoke after the sheriff called for his arrest.
“I will continue to faithfully represent the interests of our union members and I look forward to the district attorney’s review of this investigation,” he said. “And I am convinced that I will be proven right.”
Tapia was released on bail and placed on administrative leave, the Sheriff’s Office said. His case will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service for assessment.
On Tuesday, the union, along with the San Mateo County Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants, condemned Tapia’s arrest, saying it “has all the hallmarks of whistleblower retaliation” in the wake of Cordell’s report.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors also spoke out about Tapia’s arrest, saying, “It is highly irregular in San Mateo County for the Sheriff’s Office to undertake a criminal investigation and arrest a member of their own department.”
The ongoing dispute between the sheriff and the two unions first surfaced in September when the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association expressed their grievances against Sheriff Corpus and Chief of Staff Aenlle.
The DSA and the Office of Sheriff’s Sergeants both accused Aenlle of creating a toxic work environment and interfering with protected union activities. The deputies’ union has also filed unfair labor practice complaints with the California Public Employment Relations Board.
The PERB complaints allege that the Sheriff’s Office changed its minimum staffing level policy without union input and refused to meet on an expiring overtime policy.
A week later, Sheriff Corpus and the county Board of Supervisors released separate statements about the feud.
In her statement, Corpus struck a defiant tone, saying she refused to consider firing her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, over what she called “political games.”
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors also announced that a special board meeting will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. to consider possible next steps to resolve the issues with the sheriff’s department.
