San Mateo County supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday to call for Sheriff Christina Corpus to resign following the release of a scathing independent report detailing allegations against her office.
During a meeting on Wednesday, San Mateo County supervisors also voted to send a report, accusing her of extreme abuse of power to a civil grand jury. They also issued a vote of no confidence in San Mateo County's top cop.
Corpus also addressed the board, blasting the report and the motive behind it.
"What has happened the last few days is disgusting," she said. "I will not allow the board to threaten me in attempt to fire my chief of staff without cause. This inquiry was politically motivated and one sided. It was filled with lies."
The 400-page report is the findings of an investigation by retired Judge Ladoris Cordell and includes what she says is evidence of abuse by the sheriff's office and staff. The report includes accusations that range from employee retaliation to overstepping authority. It goes on to allege lies, secrecy, and intimidation by the sheriff's administration.
Additionally, the report alleges that Corpus and her Chief of Staff, Victor Aenlle, are involved in a personal relationship.
"Effective immediately, I'm appointing Victor Aenlle to the position of assistant sheriff," Corpus said at Wednesday's meeting.
The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff's Association held a news briefing Wednesday ahead of the supervisors' meeting and called on the board to ask for Corpus' resignation. The union said it has no confidence at this time in the sheriff's ability to lead.
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Union leaders in the news briefing also discussed the arrest of its president and claimed it was whistleblower retaliation.
UPDATE: Deputies Union in San Mateo County says in statement after Sheriff Corpuz refused to resign, and promoted her chief of staff (who is also the subject of the report), “Sheriff Corpus’ time in office has been a demoralizing distraction…that now threatens to continue.” pic.twitter.com/gggfimajaF
— Ian Cull (@NBCian) November 14, 2024
Corpus on Tuesday said the arrest of Carlos Tapia on suspicion of fraud had nothing to do with the investigation into allegations against her office.
"I am shocked by the outright slander by two members of the board. These are people who have a vendetta against me. I am disgusted at how low these people will go," Corpus said late Tuesday after Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller presented Cordell's report during a news briefing. "These allegations are absolutely not true."
In an exclusive interview with NBC Bay Area on Tuesday, Corpus said Cordell's report itself is biased. The sheriff also said she has not seen the report and that Cordell did not give her adequate time to answer questions. Corpus said she is not going anywhere and does not plan to resign.
