Latest news with #ChristinaCorpus
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Can a county fire a sheriff behind closed doors? Advocacy group threatens to sue for access
An open government advocacy group is threatening to sue a California county that is preparing to discuss firing its elected sheriff behind closed doors. San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, who serves one of the wealthiest communities in the country, has faced calls for her removal since an explosive November report from a retired judge found that she likely violated the county's policy on nepotism and conflicting relationships. The report alleged that, by 2024, Corpus had 'relinquished control' of the department to a subordinate. That led to a ballot measure last year that voters passed to empower the county Board of Supervisors to remove her from office, which they voted to do in June. Corpus appealed, leading to the scheduled August evidentiary hearing. As part of the removal proceedings, Corpus' legal team asked that the removal hearing take place behind closed doors. 'The county should decline,' wrote First Amendment Coalition attorney Aaron Field in a letter to the county Board of Supervisors. 'Barring the press and public from the removal hearing as Sheriff Corpus has requested would violate the First Amendment right of access to public proceedings, undermine a panoply of compelling public interests in administering the removal hearing transparently and needlessly shut San Mateo citizens out of a key phase of a process.' The hearing is scheduled to begin Aug. 18 and is expected to last about 10 days. CalMatters originally filed a request to open the June removal hearing to the public, a request that was denied. The First Amendment Coalition is making the same request for the August removal hearing. Corpus' removal — and her fight against it, including unsuccessfully filing for a restraining order to stop the proceedings — has roiled her department and the community for nearly a year. Several cities in her county have given her administration no-confidence votes, and the unions representing both her deputies and her sergeants have called for her removal. A San Mateo County spokesperson said the county had received the First Amendment Coalition's letter and would announce a decision soon. 'The county has consistently expressed its view that this should be a fully transparent process, including having the August appeal hearing for her removal from office be open,' said San Mateo County spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci. 'However, the sheriff has blocked it.' The sheriff's department is still in turmoil, most recently when Corpus put a San Mateo County sheriff's sergeant on leave. That sergeant had testified extensively in a second county investigation into Corpus. The union representing San Mateo County Sheriff's sergeants objected, alleging the sergeant was put on leave as retaliation for his testimony. Corpus denied that her actions had anything to do with the report in a statement posted to the sheriff's office website. 'His temporary administrative leave is entirely unrelated to any comments or cooperation he may have provided in the Keker report,' Corpus said in the statement. Duara writes for CalMatters, where the article first appeared. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus in court over misconduct accusation
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus made her first court appearance after a civil grand jury accused her of misconduct. Corpus was at the Redwood City courthouse Tuesday morning for a hearing that only lasted several minutes. The sheriff did not speak, but through her attorneys denied the accusations against her. Last month, the county's civil grand jury accused Corpus of one count of conflict of interest over the hiring of Victor Aenlle, whom she allegedly had a close personal relationship with. The grand jury also accused the sheriff of three counts of retaliation following the termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, the transfer of Capt. Brian Phillip and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, president of the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Thomas Mazzucco, Corpus' attorney, had previously said the civil grand jury's accusations were "related to politically motivated complaints by the upper echelons and union leadership" at the sheriff's office. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny and calls to resign following the release of an independent report by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. The report prompted the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to call for a special election in March to temporarily amend the charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. Eighty-four percent of voters approved the amendment, which is also known as Measure A. Last month, the board initiated the process to remove Corpus from office, a process that is expected to take several months. If found guilty of the grand jury's accusations, Corpus faces removal along with potential penalties that could permanently bar her from seeking an elected position in the state. Corpus' next court appearance is scheduled for July 21.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus accused of conflict of interest, retaliation
The civil grand jury in San Mateo County has accused embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus for alleged misconduct, prosecutors announced Monday, as she faces potential removal by the Board of Supervisors. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's office said the grand jury on Friday returned an accusation against Corpus that includes one count of conflict of interest in violation of the County Charter. The conflict of interest allegation stems from the hiring of Victor Aenlle, whom she allegedly had a close personal relationship with. The grand jury also accused Corpus of three counts of retaliation over the termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, the transfer of Capt. Brian Phillip and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, who is the president of the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Prosecutors said the grand jury returned an accusation following a month-long hearing in which 32 people, including Corpus, testified under oath. The hearing was conducted by Wagstaffe's office, which acted as an advisor to the civil grand jury. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny and calls to resign following the release of an independent report by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. Following the report, the Board of Supervisors called for a special election to temporarily amend the charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. In March, 84% of voters approved the charter amendment. Earlier this month, the board initiated the process to remove Corpus from office, a process which is expected to take several months. The sheriff has repeatedly denied the allegations against her and has refused multiple calls to resign from local leaders and the Deputy Sheriffs' Association. Corpus has also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county alleging discrimination and harassment. Prosecutors said Corpus is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 to answer the accusation, in which she is entitled to a trial by jury.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus indicted for alleged conflict of interest, retaliation
The civil grand jury in San Mateo County has indicted embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus for alleged misconduct, prosecutors announced Monday, as she faces potential removal by the Board of Supervisors. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's office said the grand jury on Friday returned an accusation against Corpus that includes one count of conflict of interest in violation of the County Charter. The conflict of interest allegation stems from the hiring of Victor Aenlle, whom she allegedly had a close personal relationship with. The grand jury also accused Corpus of three counts of retaliation over the termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, the transfer of Capt. Brian Phillip and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, who is the president of the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Prosecutors said the grand jury returned an indictment following a month-long hearing in which 32 people, including Corpus, testified under oath. The hearing was conducted by Wagstaffe's office, which acted as an advisor to the civil grand jury. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny and calls to resign following the release of an independent report by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. Following the report, the Board of Supervisors called for a special election to temporarily amend the charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. In March, 84% of voters approved the charter amendment. Earlier this month, the board initiated the process to remove Corpus from office, a process which is expected to take several months. The sheriff has repeatedly denied the allegations against her and has refused multiple calls to resign from local leaders and the Deputy Sheriffs' Association. Corpus has also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county alleging discrimination and harassment. Prosecutors said Corpus is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 to answer the accusation, in which she is entitled to a trial by jury.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Recommendation to remove San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus from office approved unanimously
San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to accept a recommendation to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office. The county's chief probation officer, John Keene, whom the board appointed to oversee a pre-removal conference, recommended Corpus's removal weeks after an independent investigation alleged the sheriff violated the law while performing her duties. Earlier this month, supervisors began the process to remove Corpus from office with a 5-0 vote to send her a Notice of Intent to Remove, which included the reasons for her removal and a date to appear at the pre-removal conference. The independent report released last November contained scathing allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office, alleging Corpus engaged in intimidation, retaliation, the use of racial and homophobic slurs, and conflicts of interest. Corpus is also accused of having a personal relationship with her chief of staff, Victor Aenile. Corpus has repeatedly denied the allegations against her, refusing calls for her to resign from local leaders and the county's Deputy Sheriff's Association. In April, she released her own report rebutting the allegations in the report. A special election in March temporarily amended the county charter, allowing the Board of Supervisors the power to remove the sheriff for cause. "This is a very regrettable chapter in the history of San Mateo County, and the taxpayers are paying a very heavy price," Supervisor Jackie Speier said at Tuesday's special meeting. Corpus's attorneys vowed Tuesday to keep up the fight to retain her job. Corpus plans to "exhaust all appeals," said Thomas Mazzucco, one of the sheriff's attorneys. "We will take it as far as we need to take it." Corpus has five days to appeal Tuesday's decision and request a full evidentiary hearing with sworn testimony before a neutral hearing officer, the County Executive's Office said in a statement. The hearing officer may issue subpoenas, consider evidence, and hear live testimony. The hearing must be completed within 60 days and will be open to the public unless Corpus objects in writing. According to the board, Corpus must attend and provide testimony if called upon, or else her appeal could be dismissed. Following the hearing, the hearing officer would have 45 days to issue an advisory opinion to be considered by the board. Her ultimate removal would require a four-fifths majority. According to the County Executive's Office, counsel has indicated that the earliest the matter could likely conclude is within approximately four months.
