County Govt Officer Mike Callagy testified for a number of hours Wednesday in ongoing proceedings that might result in the removing of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, addressing allegations he undermined Corpus’ management and was concerned in labor and personnel issues.
Corpus faces two simultaneous efforts to oust her: one beneath Measure A, a voter-approved initiative handed in March granting the Board of Supervisors authority to take away a sheriff by way of 2028, and one other stemming from a civil grand jury accusation filed in June alleging misconduct and abuse of energy. If eliminated, she can be the primary elected sheriff in California ousted by a county board.
Callagy spent a lot of the eigth day of the hearings on the witness stand answering questions from Corpus’ attorneys about his dealings with sheriff’s union members and whether or not he tried to undermine her management. He acknowledged talking with union members however denied immediately intervening in personnel or labor agreements and stated he agreed that double additional time spending had grow to be a significant issue.
“We realized there were problems with the budget,” Callagy testified. “Double overtime was way out of control. It seemed like everywhere in the department — at the airport, admin, at the range. I don’t think that was the original spirit of double overtime.”
Callagy is San Mateo County’s highest-ranking non-elected official, answerable for finishing up Board of Supervisors insurance policies, overseeing day by day operations and managing an almost $5 billion funds.
Corpus’ attorneys argued throughout opening statements final week that the hassle to take away the sheriff stems from when she moved to restrict double additional time pay after 9 hours in a piece week, a choice they stated was crucial as a result of the observe added upwards of $17 million to the division’s annual funds.
On the stand, Callagy disputed these figures, inserting the 2024 whole nearer to $14 million, together with common additional time, and stated he signed no agreements with out the sheriff’s approval.
Callagy additionally testified that deputies sad with Corpus introduced complaints to him, which he directed them to take to Human Assets. The county later employed retired Santa Clara County Choose LaDoris Cordell to analyze management considerations, leading to a 400-page report launched in November 2024 that accused Corpus of retaliation, misconduct, corruption and sustaining an inappropriate relationship together with her former chief of workers, Victor Aenlle — allegations each deny.
Callagy stated he initially permitted funding for Corpus’ transition staff after she defeated incumbent Carlos Bolanos within the 2022 election, however later grew involved after studying of her shut relationship with Aenlle. He testified that former sheriff’s officers Jeff Kearnan and Dan Guiney informed him a few journey to Hawaii the place Aenlle and Corpus had been seen on the identical flight, particulars of which had been included within the Cordell report.
Callagy stated the scenario raised considerations about public notion, and that he wouldn’t have permitted Aenlle’s transition staff contract had he recognized about their “relationship.” He testified that he informed Corpus the association would have been a battle of curiosity.
He additionally claimed he heard the pair had taken different journeys collectively, together with to Lake Tahoe — a press release Corpus visibly rejected by shaking her head on the protection desk.
Aenlle, who testified earlier this week, stated his function was created to convey a civilian perspective and advance Corpus’ reform agenda. He additionally testified that his household actively campaigned for Corpus in 2022, serving to her grow to be the county’s first Latina sheriff.
Callagy additionally addressed a criticism filed with the Public Employment Relations Board by the Deputy Sheriffs’ Affiliation and the Group of Sheriff’s Sergeants over coaching necessities, shift adjustments and necessary additional time.
He stated the selections had been made by the sheriff however fell to him, and colleagues described the division as “disarrayed” and “imploding.” Callagy stated he felt “powerless” to intervene as a result of the Sheriff’s Workplace operates independently of the board.
Along with testifying, Callagy has filed a $10.5 million defamation declare towards Corpus for accusing him of interfering in her management.
The county beforehand commissioned an investigation by Oakland-based Oppenheimer Investigations into Corpus’ allegations towards Callagy and cleared him of any wrongdoing in Might. On the time, the Board of Supervisors stated it thought-about the matter closed.
Throughout cross-examination, county attorneys requested Callagy who he voted for within the 2022 election. He paused earlier than responding that, whereas he thought Bolanos was a “great” administrator, he believed it was time for change and supported electing Corpus. On redirect, Corpus’ attorneys requested if he voted for Measure A. Callagy replied, “Yes.”
Wednesday’s session included retired San Francisco Deputy Chief Peter Walsh as an knowledgeable witness, who stated he was not involved in regards to the Sheriff’s Workplace’s 38 pending investigations, considerations about which had been raised by a former skilled requirements bureau staffer throughout the hearings, so long as they stayed inside the typical one-year timeframe.
After the hearings, retired Choose James Emerson, who has been tasked with overseeing the proceedings, has 45 days to concern a advice to the Board of Supervisors. The board then has 30 days to vote – removing requires a four-fifths vote and takes impact instantly. Below the county constitution, supervisors have 30 days to nominate a alternative or name a particular election. In the event that they fail to behave inside the prescribed interval, the county elections workplace should schedule one.
Initially Revealed: August 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM PDT
