Redwood City - The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today voted 5-0 to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office, concluding a months-long process established under Measure A — the voter-approved County Charter amendment allowing the Board to remove an elected sheriff for cause.
This decision represents the final step in a process that began in March 2025, when 84 percent of San Mateo County voters approved Measure A to strengthen oversight and accountability of the Office of Sheriff.
The Board’s action follows extensive investigations and legal process confirming multiple violations of law by the Sheriff constituting breaches of public trust.
In May 2025, an independent investigation by the San Francisco law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP found evidence of conflicts of interest, misuse of authority, and retaliation by the Sheriff against employees within the Sheriff’s Office. Based on those findings, in June, the Board voted 5-0 to initiate formal removal proceedings under Measure A.
Sheriff Corpus appealed that decision, prompting a 10-day evidentiary hearing before an independent hearing officer, a retired Superior Court Judge, in August 2025. The hearing officer’s advisory opinion substantiated multiple causes for removal, including that Sheriff Corpus (1) violated the law by using her position to create and fund high paying positions for Victor Aenlle, with whom she had a close personal relationship outside the boundaries of a professional working relationship; (2) broke the law, including the Penal Code, by ordering the arrest of Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Carlos Tapia without probable cause and in retaliation for lawful union activity; and (3) retaliated against a subordinate for refusing to carry out an order he reasonably believed to be illegal.
Board members issued strong statements on the significance of the findings:
- Supervisor Noelia Corzo: “This removal process had been based on fair procedures and evidence. Christina Corpus and her legal representatives have had more than enough time and opportunity to speak their piece. What they have been unable to provide is anything beyond empty words. They have only continued delaying, deflecting and denying…. To everyone who has been harmed, please know my heart goes out to you.”
- Supervisor Jackie Speier: “Judge Emerson believes violations have been committed by Sheriff Corpus. I agree. In my view, Sheriff Corpus lost her sense of purpose and put Mr. Aenlle above the vocal opposition to him among the ranks of her deputies and in so doing permanently damaged her relationships with those she was charged to lead. A tragedy.”
- Supervisor Lisa Gauthier: “When those entrusted with authority fall short of the standards we expect, it is our duty not our desire to respond with clarity and courage. Removal is not a punishment; it is a reflection of our collective responsibility to ensure that leadership reflects the ethics and dignity our community deserves.”
Effective immediately, Undersheriff Dan Perea will temporarily discharge the duties of sheriff in accordance with Government Code Section 24105. Under the County Charter, the Board must act within 30 days to fill the vacancy or call for a special election. Any related action will be publicly noticed, and all meeting materials are available on the County’s meeting portal.
Additional information, including prior Board actions, independent investigations, and the Measure A process, can be found at https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/independent-investigation-sheriffs-office.
Effie Milionis Verducci
Interim Director of Strategic Communications
650-407-4915
everducci@smcgov.org