San Mateo County sheriff’s deputies allege that their beleagured boss, Christina Corpus, retaliated towards them by reassigning officers who voiced their assist throughout a press convention this week for her potential elimination in a particular election subsequent month, based on a press release despatched to media on Friday.
In an inner memo from Corpus that was launched by the Deputy Sheriffs’ Affiliation of San Mateo County, the sheriff said that personnel had been transferred to “provide opportunity for learning new skills and honing abilities.”
“We will also have an opportunity for career development, which will allow staff to expand their skill sets and become more adaptable and versatile to ensure we can provide the highest level of service to our community,” the memo stated.
The deputies’ affiliation, nonetheless, claimed the reassignments focused workers who had served “more than three years in a specialty assignment” and had been “likely to be rotated out of their position.”
“Many of these assignments are highly specialized, requiring extensive training and experience,” the affiliation stated. “The timing of this announcement is striking, as it disproportionately targets the most vocal critics of the sheriff, including two individuals who had spoken at the press conference earlier that day.”
The sheriff’s division stated the usual tenure for specialty assignments is 5 years.
“This practice has allowed personnel to acquire the necessary skills and experience to be truly effective in their roles, with assignments also offering pay incentives,” the union stated. “This announcement came without any prior communication from Sheriff Corpus or her Undersheriff, Dan Perea, to the unions representing the affected employees, as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and labor law.”
“The decision to provide transfer opportunities for specialty positions was not a response to the Feb. 5 press conference. The transfer form was created in early January 2025, which is documented and verifiable,” Corpus stated. “Additionally, my executive team and I worked with Human Resources and the County Counsel’s Office on this matter, which is also documented.”
On the press convention, sheriff unions and county leaders endorsed Measure A. If accepted by voters, the measure would grant the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors the authority to take away the sheriff for “repeated neglect of duties, misappropriation of public funds or property, falsification of official documents, or obstruction of any investigation into her conduct or that of her office.” Ballots are already being mailed to voters.
If handed, Measure A would make San Mateo County the primary within the Bay Space to grant the Board of Supervisors the ability to take away an elected sheriff. The authority would stay in impact till 2028, the tip of Corpus’ time period.
Ought to the sheriff be eliminated, the Board of Supervisors would have 30 days to nominate a substitute or name a particular election. If the board fails to behave, the county elections officer will name the particular election, based on the San Mateo County constitution.
The grievance is the newest growth in a protracted political drama centered on Corpus. Controversies surrounding the county’s first Latina sheriff started late final 12 months when deputies and union members accused her of misconduct, corruption, and office harassment.
In response to the allegations, the county commissioned an impartial audit led by retired Decide LaDoris Cordell. In November, the county launched a 400-page report that alleged Corpus had an inappropriate relationship along with her former chief of workers, retaliated towards officers and staff, and used racist and homophobic slurs within the office. The report additionally cited the possession of rifles with silencers and questionable actual property dealings.
In the meantime, town of San Mateo turned the third within the county to unanimously go a decision of no confidence in Corpus, following Millbrae earlier this week and San Carlos final November.
“I am so saddened that we are here, but I believe that Sheriff Corpus and her actions have denigrated our community’s public safety efforts,” stated San Mateo Councilmember Lisa Diaz Nash, a former mayor. “I have come to the conclusion that there is no alternative but to support a no-confidence resolution.”
The controversies have additionally sparked a slew of authorized instances between the county and the sheriff.
The newest authorized case towards Corpus comes from former Captain Brian Philip, who filed a grievance alleging retaliation by the sheriff, primarily for his refusal to arrest union president Carlos Tapia for alleged timecard fraud. Philip, who resigned final 12 months, alleged that each Corpus and Assistant Sheriff Victor Aenlle, her former chief of workers, had been concerned within the retaliation.
Final December, San Mateo County District Lawyer Stephen Wagstaffe declined to file prices towards Tapia.
In January, Corpus filed a petition to halt the March election. In December, she filed a $10 million declare towards the county for alleged discrimination, harassment, and defamation. Each instances are pending.
