The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on June 24 to remove the county’s first female and first Latina sheriff from office after alleged misconduct, including the use of slurs, an improper relationship, and acts of retaliation.

The county could become the first in California to unseat an elected sheriff.

A series of allegations surfaced after Sheriff Christina Corpus assumed office in 2023. She was sued by the county executive officer for millions in damages in 2024.

The board began the process of removing Corpus in 2024 after the county received an “unprecedented” number of complaints about her and her former executive director, Victor Aenlle.

The county hired retired Judge LaDoris Cordell to investigate the complaints and concerns of current and former sheriff’s office employees about Aenlle.

After interviewing 40 current and past employees, Cordell reported allegations of a relationship between Corpus and Aenlle that went “beyond friendship” and was possibly intimate and presented a possible conflict of interest. The report also included allegations of possible violations related to Aenlle’s promotion to the position of reserve deputy.

Other allegations included an improper firing of an assistant sheriff after the assistant sheriff cooperated with the investigation and other alleged retaliatory actions taken by Corpus. The report also included allegations that Corpus used “racial and homophobic slurs in the workplace.”

“Sheriff Corpus should step down and Victor Aenlle’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office should be terminated immediately,” Cordell wrote in the 524-page report. “Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization that is in turmoil, and its personnel demoralized.”

Corpus didn’t attend the meeting on June 24, and her attorney did not return a request for comment by publication time.

Before the vote, Corpus’s attorneys urged the supervisors to read the transcript of the sheriff’s hearing and asked two supervisors to recuse themselves from the vote after disclosing publicly their intentions to remove her. The supervisors elected not to take the advice.

Her attorneys also said the process was not fair and that the sheriff intended to “exhaust all administrative remedies and all judicial remedies.”

“It’s become personal, and we will take this as far as we need to take it,” attorney Tomas Mazzucco told the board on June 24 before the vote.

Supervisors voted 5–0 for removal, agreeing with the county’s chief probation officer, John Keene, that the sheriff’s conduct “violated the for-cause provisions in the county charter.”

Following the vote, the sheriff had five calendar days to appeal and request a hearing. After selecting a hearing officer, the officer would have up to 60 days to hold a hearing on the matter and another 45 days to submit an opinion to the board. The board will then have 30 days to consider the opinion, according to County Attorney John Nibbelin.

County supervisors cited three grounds for removal: violation of the law related to the performance of sheriff’s duties, flagrant and repeated neglect of those duties, and obstruction of an investigation into her conduct.

“I think this is a very regrettable chapter in the history of San Mateo County,” Supervisor Jackie Speier said before voting. “The taxpayers are paying a very heavy price.”

Supervisor Noelia Corzo said she favored making documents related to the case open to the public.

“I personally look forward to the day that the public has access to any and all information related to this removal process,” Corzo said. “This is an important step in this process, and I think we stand firm in knowing this process is one that will do right by the community and is the right thing to do.”

The board heard from a handful of residents for and against the removal on June 24.

“This board has been acting on emotion and anger—not democracy,” commenter Thelma Uribe said. “The entire process has been compromised from the beginning. Taxpayers are paying for this personal retaliation against this sheriff. You will all have this stain as part of your legacy.”

Resident Jim Salinas agreed with Uribe.

“I am absolutely appalled by the irresponsible actions of this body,” Salinas said.

Vanessa Lemus Tapia defended the board’s actions.

“[Supervisors Corzo and Ray Mueller] supported Christina’s campaign when she ran for office,” Tapia said over Zoom. “This is not bias, but rather the rule as representatives of the county. Sheriff Corpus has had ample opportunities to share her side of the story. ... I believe we need to take action to remove this corrupt sheriff from office immediately.”

Corpus’s removal required a four-fifths vote by the supervisors, according to the county’s Measure A, an initiative approved by 84 percent of the county’s voters in March that amended the county charter and allows supervisors to remove an elected sheriff for cause.

Three cities in San Mateo County—San Carlos, Millbrae, and San Mateo—along with the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants and the union representing the sheriff’s command staff, called for Corpus to resign.

In 2022, Los Angeles County voters passed a similar measure to allow its Board of Supervisors to remove a sheriff for violating laws, neglecting duties, misusing public funds or properties, obstructing an investigation into the department, or willfully falsifying documents. The board has not exercised the option.

Controversy surrounding the sheriff and county, located about 20 miles south of San Francisco, ramped up in 2024 after allegations were made on both sides.

The county’s executive sued the sheriff for $10.5 million. The claim filed on March 13 alleged that Corpus “made up stories” about County Chief Executive Mike Callagy.

The claim alleged that the sheriff made false statements about Callagy during a press conference on Sept. 22, 2024, saying the chief executive made an inappropriate and offensive request to tell him whom she dated in the county, and also that he negotiated with unions without her input.

Corpus allegedly said Callagy used “retaliation, abuse of power, discrimination and bullying tactics,” according to the claim.

Callagy also claimed that Corpus conspired with Aenlle to publish false statements against him to “intentionally damage” his reputation.

The sheriff has denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit against the county, in which she claims the process was politically motivated and violated her due process rights.