San Mateo Sheriff Christina Corpus pushes back, releases report criticizing investigation
San Mateo Sheriff Christina Corpus released a report Friday rebutting the investigation that led to a special election against her and is suing to get access to the full document.
The report by retired judge LaDoris Cordell was released in November 2024.
In her report, Cordell interviewed about 40 current and former employees at the sheriff's office and concluded, "Lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest, and abuses of authority are all the hallmarks of the Corpus administration. Corpus should step down."
Lawyers for Corpus claim the report is "fundamentally flawed." They retained former Judge Burke E. Strunsky to evaluate the report from Judge Cordell.
The analysis from former Judge Strunsky was released on Friday, April 25.
In the introduction, Strunsky states he was not retained to analyze the truth of the witness statements but "to assess whether the Cordell Report- considered in isolation-meets the standards of transparency, evidentiary rigor, and procedural fairness that due process requires before the Board of Supervisors may exercise the extraordinary authority, conferred by Proposition A, to remove an elected sheriff. "
In the report, which can be viewed in full below, Strunsky points to the use of anonymous witnesses, the lack of direct quotes, and hearsay as proof that more investigation is needed into the allegations of misconduct.
Saying in his conclusion, Strunsky said, "Cordell's investigation has undeniable value - but only as the point of departure, not the destination. Her report surfaces a host of serious allegations, yet it rests on an evidentiary lattice too frail to carry the constitutional load of overturning an election."
Corpus has refused to resign following the allegations, claiming the attacks on her are politically motivated. The sheriff has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county alleging discrimination and harassment.
In March, voters in San Mateo County passed Measure A with 84% of the vote. Measure A is a charter amendment granting the Board of Supervisors temporary authority to remove the Sheriff.
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San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
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Yahoo
2 days ago
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Looking Back at Gavin Newsom's Career—and National Ambitions
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Contact us at letters@
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
London Breed's former chief of staff to lead urban think tank SPUR
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