Dealing with allegations of corruption and misconduct, the primary day of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus’ removing listening to started Monday as county attorneys sought to point out she retaliated towards critics and fostered a hostile office, whereas her protection portrayed her as a reformer dealing with pushback from a “good ol’ boys” membership.
“This case is not about misconduct, it is about change in culture, power, and money,” protection legal professional Christopher Ulrich of Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney mentioned in opening statements. “They could not beat her at the ballot box, so they weaponized a flawed report.”
Ulrich referred to a county-commissioned 400-page report by retired Decide LaDoris Cordell that accused Corpus of “secrecy, retaliation, conflicts of interest and abuse of authority.” It beneficial she resign.
The report triggered the Board of Supervisors to name for her resignation and place on the poll a measure giving them the facility to take away a sheriff by a four-fifths vote till 2028, the top of Corpus’ time period.
Retired Decide James Emerson is serving because the listening to officer and can problem a advice after testimony from each side. The listening to is predicted to take two weeks. If eliminated, Corpus can be the primary elected sheriff in California to be ousted by a county Board of Supervisors.
Jan Little, an legal professional for the county with Keker, Van Nest & Peters, countered that the case was “not about budget challenges” or “red herrings,” however about Corpus’ management. She accused the sheriff of violating legal guidelines, neglecting duties and obstructing an investigation.
Corpus’ attorneys have argued the battle stems from her choice to finish double additional time pay after 9 hours, a apply Ulrich mentioned was created by County Government Mike Callagy and the Deputy Sheriffs’ Affiliation, which allegedly added practically $19 million to the annual funds.
The affiliation rejected that rationalization.
“The allegations are about her being racist, homophobic, and abusive. This has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with her immoral and unethical behavior,” the union mentioned in a press release on Monday.
Corpus sat quietly within the courtroom in a inexperienced blazer, a departure from her sheriff’s uniform, as her authorized workforce offered arguments. Amongst them was former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a Washington, D.C.-based Democrat who joined her protection workforce final week however has not but examined any witnesses.
The primary witnesses on Monday included former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung, who left the division after lower than two years in 2024, and Jeffrey Kearnan, a retired sheriff’s official who labored on Corpus’ transition workforce after her 2022 election.
Beneath questioning by protection legal professional Wilson Leung, Hsiung acknowledged a 45-minute telephone name with Callagy after leaving the division, throughout which Callagy allegedly raised the opportunity of him serving as interim sheriff.
The county additionally known as Heather Enders, the sheriff’s workplace human assets supervisor, to testify in regards to the hiring of Victor Aenlle, who was alleged within the Cordell report back to have had a relationship with Corpus.
She mentioned Corpus requested her in March 2023 to create a place for him on the division.
Enders testified that Corpus and Aenlle needed to create a charge of just about $119 an hour. When a county analyst beneficial decreasing his charge to $72, Enders testified that Corpus replied, “it wasn’t enough,” and Aenlle advised her to “find a way” to extend pay.
The place later turned full-time with advantages, paying as a lot as $246,000 yearly. Aenlle was the one applicant, in line with Enders.
Kearnan, in the meantime, testified that he confronted Corpus about what he believed was an inappropriate relationship with Aenlle, together with a visit to Hawaii, as documented within the Cordell report. Corpus has persistently denied the accusation.
In response to claims that Aenlle was unqualified, Corpus’ protection famous he was assigned solely to oversee civilian personnel.
Though the hearings are technically casual and don’t comply with normal guidelines of proof, retired Decide Emerson appeared to comply with typical court docket procedures. Both sides can have as much as 5 days to current its case, with the county bearing the burden of proof.
As soon as testimony concludes, Emerson can have 45 days to problem a written advisory opinion to the Board of Supervisors on whether or not “cause” exists for removing, utilizing a preponderance-of-the-evidence normal. The board then has 30 days to assessment the opinion earlier than voting in a public assembly.
Removing would require a four-fifths vote and would take impact instantly, in line with procedures; a last vote on Corpus’ ouster by the Board of Supervisors may not seem on the agenda till November or December.
Beneath the county constitution, the Board of Supervisors would then have 30 days to both appoint a brand new sheriff or name a particular election. In both case, the chosen particular person will serve the rest of the time period. Ought to the board fail to behave inside 30 days, the county elections workplace is required to instantly schedule a particular election to fill the emptiness.
County spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci mentioned the county “welcomes the commencement of this hearing, triggered by the Sheriff’s exercise of her right to appeal. This process provides both parties the opportunity to present sworn testimony and compelling evidence.”
