Latest news with #Corpus
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
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.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Embattled San Mateo County sheriff rehires former chief of staff
SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, who could soon be removed from her job, has brought back her former chief of staff, with whom she reportedly had a romantic relationship. Corpus said she rehired Victor Aenlle as reserve deputy, crediting his 17 years of experience in the role. The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff's Association said the rehire makes their skin crawl. Eliot Storch, a San Mateo County sheriff's deputy and board secretary for the county Sheriff's Association, said, 'It's a middle finger to everybody who cares about morals and ethics.' 'DSA has significant doubts that Aenlle is in fact a qualified reserved deputy,' Storch continued. 'All that matters is that Sheriff Corpus hired her alleged boyfriend to be in a role, despite no one wanting her to be here and despite his behavior.' DUI suspect with 3 prior convictions faces murder charge in Brisbane crash Aenlle was removed as chief of staff last year after a scathing report accused Corpus of having a romantic relationship with him, creating a toxic work environment and creating jobs for Aenlle without publicizing the job opening. Corpus has denied all of the allegations. In March, San Mateo County voters passed Measure A, giving county supervisors the authority to remove the embattled sheriff. In a statement to KRON4, Corpus said there's a backlog of concealed carry weapon licenses that need to be addressed. The task will be part of Aenlle's job as a reserve officer. Storch said this is all a 'power play,' because there are plenty of other qualified people to fulfill the role. The Sheriff's Association said the best thing Corpus can do for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is to quit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Embattled San Mateo County sheriff rehires former chief of staff, leaked memo reveals
The Brief A memo shows Sheriff Christina Corpus has rehired Victor Aenlle, who she is alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with. Aenlle is back to help process concealed weapons permits, according to the memo. Last month, voters gave the San Mateo Co. Board of Supervisors to remove Corpus. SAN MATEO, Calif. - The embattled San Mateo County sheriff has rehired her alleged paramour, Victor Aenlle, to act as a reserve deputy, KTVU has learned. What we know Aenlle, the sheriff's former chief of staff, is back to help process concealed weapons permits, according to a leaked memo, signed by Sheriff Christina Corpus. Aenlle was removed as chief of staff last year. "Please move [Aenlle] over to the active list and please ensure he is receiving all correspondence related to the reserve unit," Corpus' memo reads. She concludes by telling the department to let Undersheriff Dan Perea know if there are any questions. Rank-and-file unions maintain that Sheriff Corpus "continues to practice the open corruption and defiant mismanagement" that will lead to her ouster. The backstory Last month, voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that would allow San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors to remove Corpus, who has been under fire for months, accused of creating a toxic work environment, using racial and homophobic slurs, and having an inappropriate intimate relationship with Aenlle, who she would later promote to assistant sheriff. The supervisors have until 2028 to act. In addition, San Mateo executive officer Mike Callagy filed a $10.5 million claim against the county in March, saying that Corpus and Aenlle conspired to make false and defamatory statements against him. Corpus has denied the allegations against her, saying she's been targeted for being Latina and a woman in power. Last January, Corpus filed a claim of her own against San Mateo County, saying she's been discriminated against, harassed and unfairly treated. Since the scandal broke, the fact that Aenlle was Corpus' civilian chief of staff, was a point of contention. A scathing report by a retired judge found that Corpus and Aenlle's personal relationship, beyond friendship, was a conflict of interest. The report claimed that Aenlle has more experience as a Coldwell Banker associate real estate broker than he has in law enforcement. The report claimed Corpus violated policy when she repeatedly recommended Aenlle for pay increases. Furthermore, the report alleged Aenlle abused authority within the department, creating a separate conflict of interest in negotiating a lease of property for a sheriff's department substation brokered by Coldwell Banker Real Estate – a company Aenlle has worked as an associate broker for. The retired judge also concluded Aenlle, as a civilian employee, was not authorized to wear a badge resembling the gold badges of sworn employees, which is a misdemeanor offense. Following the release of the report, Corpus further sparked controversy by elevating Aenlle to the position of assistant sheriff. Since the turmoil began, several have called for the sheriff's resignation. The sheriff has been steadfast in her refusal to do so. What they're saying The Deputy Sheriff's Association and the San Mateo County Organization of Sheriff's Seargeants released a statement about the rehiring. "Rehiring Victor Aenlle, the person who sparked the original complaints of nepotism and harassment, along with the intent to spend taxpayer dollars on massage chairs, once again demonstrates her disrespect for both the community and the office she holds," the statement read in part. The statement concludes by saying they look forward to new leadership in order to restore trust and transparency. KTVU has reached out to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for comment on this latest development, but we have not heard back. A county spokesperson said they had no comment on this story. KTVU's Henry Lee contributed to this story
San Francisco Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
In bold move, San Mateo County sheriff gives her alleged boyfriend a new job
Embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus reinstated her former chief of staff — and alleged boyfriend — Victor Aenlle to a reserve deputy position in the Concealed Carry Weapon Unit last week, county officials said. Aenlle's return to the department marks the latest development in a months-long saga that has engulfed the sheriff's office. Last month, San Mateo County voters overwhelmingly passed a charter amendment granting county supervisors the authority to remove Corpus after a blistering audit into her office accused her of fostering a culture of intimidation and retaliation. The audit also concluded that the sheriff had romantic ties to Victor Aenlle, a real estate agent she tapped to serve as her executive director. Corpus has repeatedly refused the board's calls for her to resign in the wake of the independent report that alleged she used racial and homophobic slurs to degrade colleagues and created jobs for Aenlle, including a $246,000 full-time position without publicizing the job opening. Corpus has denied any wrongdoing or that she and Aenlle are in a romantic relationship. She has also filed a lawsuit against the county, seeking $10 million on the allegation that she was discriminated against for being a woman and Latinx. The Board of Supervisors cut Aenlle's position in November, after the release of the nearly 400-page report, which was compiled by retired Santa Clara County Court judge LaDoris Cordell. Cordell called her findings 'extremely concerning' and 'unprecedented' in the history of the San Mateo County government. Aenlle was also barred from county facilities reserved for sworn officers and county employees. But this week, Corpus told the Chronicle she assigned Aenlle to a reserve deputy position in the concealed carry weapon unit, a position for which he will not be compensated. Corpus justified the decision by saying the department has seen a significant increase in the number of applications for concealed carry licenses, which has created a 'backlog we are actively addressing.' 'Mr. Aenlle is a fully qualified reserve deputy for over 17 years and has been informed by the County Attorney that he is allowed to be in any County workspace where reserve deputies are allowed,' said Corpus. 'As Sheriff, I have the authority to assign reserve deputies to work anywhere there is a need.' Aenlle will be reviewing and processing CCW applications, Corpus said. A spokesperson for the county executive's office confirmed Aenlle can be in 'no-public spaces' of the sheriff's headquarters if he is accompanied by Corpus. The office declined to comment further. While San Mateo supervisors have signaled their intent to use their new powers to remove Corpus, ousting her can't happen immediately. Supervisors first have to hold a meeting to share their reasons for wanting to fire the sheriff with the public, and the sheriff will have to respond. If four out of five supervisors vote to oust her, the undersheriff will temporarily move into her spot before another person is appointed, or a special election is held to choose a new sheriff.
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
San Mateo Sheriff Christina Corpus faces new questions over spending requests for radios, massage chairs
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors raised concerns over spending in the Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, though Sheriff Christina Corpus did not attend the meeting to discuss her request for millions to cover the purchase of new radios. At Tuesday's meeting, the Board was set to vote on approving the allocation of $4.2 million dollars to the Sheriff's Office for covering the one-time cost of updating and replacing outdated radio equipment. The agenda item was unrelated to potential proceedings by the Board to possibly remove Corpus from her role as sheriff. Last month, voters passed Measure A, granting the Board temporary power to oust the sheriff after the release of a scathing, 400-page investigation into alleged misconduct of Corpus. What was supposed to be a routine approval in the consent agenda with no required discussion became an argument that put Corpus and her office in yet another contentious situation. The discussion revealed an attempt by the department to buy 10 massage chairs with county money. Supervisor Jackie Speier requested that the decision to appropriate funds to the Sheriff's Office be moved off the consent calendar and onto the regular agenda because she wanted to discuss it further, directly, with Corpus. A few hours later when the item was up for discussion, Corpus was not present to address the Board's questions. Instead, Undersheriff Dan Perea came as a representative of the Sheriff's Office, saying that Corpus was busy at another meeting. Speier openly chastised Corpus for her absence. "We expect department heads to appear when they have issues before the Board of Supervisors," Speier told Perea sternly. "Moving forward, please alert her that if she has an item on the agenda that she should be prepared to come to the Board meeting." The Sheriff's Office has already purchased the 425 radios at $10,000 apiece, but allocating money from the county's Public Safety Augmentation Fund to the Sheriff's Office State Aid Public Safety budget to cover the cost needed approval from the Board. While large purchases from county departments are sometimes able to move forward without Board approval, the $4.2 million expenditure raised concerns for Speier, who is actively working on a resolution to bring more Board oversight to spending in county departments, she said. "Departments do have the authority to make goods purchases, sometimes through the procurement department, without coming to the Board," said County Attorney John Nibbelin during the meeting. But Speier pointed out to Perea that her concern also stems from other attempts by the Sheriff's office to make significant purchases, some of which may be considered unnecessary. "I've been made aware that there have been 10 massage chairs that were requested through procurement," Speier said, adding that the Office of Procurement had "thankfully" declined the request. Perea said he was aware of the attempted purchase but could not provide details on how the idea arose to buy massage chairs with county funding. He said he didn't believe he was involved in the approval and could not answer if Corpus approved it. "It was part of 'officer wellness,' as I understand it," Perea said. "I don't think I'm the best person, the most informed person right now to speak about that." The Board ended up unanimously authorizing the appropriation of funds to cover the cost of the new radios. But the lack of clarity about how the Sheriff's Office approves purchases, such as the 10 massage chairs, led the Board to request that Corpus appear at a future meeting to discuss the department's procurement process. "The whole procurement process is something that I think we need to have a better understanding of," Speier said.
