The San Carlos City Council voted unanimously on Monday evening to pass a resolution of “no confidence” in embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, a move that follows the release of a scathing 400-plus page independent audit that details allegations of corruption and misconduct, fueling growing calls for her resignation.
San Carlos, a city of about 29,000 residents, is one of five in San Mateo County that contract police services from the sheriff’s office. It is the first among them to pass a no-confidence vote against Corpus. The other cities with similar contracts include Millbrae, Woodside, Portola Valley, and Half Moon Bay.
“They respond to our worst days, and it’s a tough job. They’re calling for help,” said Jeff Maltbie, San Carlos city manager. “If these were our own city staff, we could address the issue directly. But since they’re not our employees, we can only amplify their voices with another microphone, another outlet.”
The council said the resolution is focused solely on Corpus’ leadership and that it continues to have confidence in Mark Myers, the city’s chief of police and one of Corpus’ captains who has formally called for her to step down.
“I remain fully confident in Chief Myers and the deputies who serve and protect San Carlos every day,” Mayor John Dugan said.
According to documents from San Mateo County, San Carlos was charged $12 million for police services from July 2023 to June 2024. The contract with the sheriff’s office, continuously renewed since 2010, covers police management, patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, as well as community and school services, among other responsibilities.
Prior to Monday night’s council meeting, the Organization of Sheriff Sergeants of San Mateo County, which represents sergeants and lieutenants, announced a vote of no confidence in Corpus and her remaining executive team, including Chief of Staff Dan Perea and Victor Aenlle.
“This decision is not the result of some ‘good old boys’ club’ or subversive efforts by an ‘entrenched resistance,’” the organization said in a press release Monday. “Rather, it reflects the collective opinion of the frontline leadership of the sheriff’s office, a diverse group of experienced law enforcement professionals. We have reviewed the report by the Honorable LaDoris Cordell, which outlines the racism, homophobia, and corruption linked to this Sheriff and her administration.”
Aenlle is a key figure in much of the alleged misconduct outlined in Cordell’s report, including an alleged inappropriate relationship with Corpus, a claim they both deny.
Last Thursday, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller revealed a bombshell memo from Corpus’ second-in-command, Perea, detailing an alleged scheme to conceal weapons stored in the department’s executive office.
The memo, dated Nov. 14, was sent just two days after the publication of Cordell’s report, which claimed that Aenlle, Corpus’ former chief of staff, had improper access to three rifles equipped with silencers. The report noted that, as a civilian, Aenlle’s possession of the rifles could constitute a felony offense.
In his first public interview, Aenlle, who was previously in the real estate and private security and investigations business, denied all the findings in Cordell’s report. He claimed that the 40 people interviewed for the report were supporters of former Sheriff Carlos Bolanos, whom Corpus unseated in 2022.
“A few of them are scared for their jobs because if you don’t kiss the ring in this county, they’ll push you out immediately,” Aenlle told ABC 7 News.
Last week, San Mateo County Supervisors voted to put a measure on the ballot next year that would give the county authority to remove an elected sheriff from office until 2028, the end of Corpus’ term.
This is only one of three methods being explored by county officials to remove Corpus from office. In addition to granting supervisors the authority to remove a sheriff, a recall election and a civil grand jury were among the mechanisms discussed.
In a letter dated Tuesday, Corpus described efforts to oust her as “polarizing” and reiterated her refusal to step down.
“While these past weeks have been tough, I remain committed to fulfilling the responsibilities I swore to uphold,” Corpus wrote.
Corpus said that she is “moving forward” with a restructured leadership team, which, alongside Perea, will focus on “restoring internal and external relationships” while advancing strategic initiatives.
“I have every confidence in the new leadership team to oversee our daily operations and foster a culture of accountability and respect,” she said.
The letter made no mention of Aenlle, whom she promoted to assistant sheriff earlier this month.
Community member Liz Lange said Monday she was against any action that would overstep voters, who elected Corpus into office.
“I urge the council not to take a stance or position and not adopt,” Lange said. “It’s not for the council to decide, but for voters to decide. County supervisors are trying to remove the sheriff themselves. This is meant to circumvent the voters, undermining our democracy.”
Lange said Corpus’ removal should “solely be left to the people who hired the sheriff — the voters.”
San Carlos Councilmember Ron Collins, however, warned that the longer the controversy continues with Corpus refusing to step down, the more public trust will be eroded.
“The findings by Cordell are serious and undeniable,” Collins said. “The sheriff continues to deny any wrongdoing or offer contrition. … I’ve seen enough, and it’s time for her to acknowledge the damage being done to public trust, safety, and the county’s finances.”
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Source: www.mercurynews.com