California’s San Mateo County sheriff is facing a challenger for power in a special election
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to hold a special election on March 4, 2025, amid disagreements with Sheriff Christina Corpus.
The special election, which will reportedly cost millions of taxpayer dollars, will allow voters to decide on a county charter amendment that, if approved, would give the board the power to remove a sitting sheriff “for cause, including violation of law.” related to the Sheriff’s duties, flagrant or repeated neglect of duty, misappropriation of public funds, willful falsification of documents, or obstruction of an investigation.” The measure was sponsored by directors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller.
The board authorized the special election Tuesday by a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor David Canepa absent, KNTV reported.
The ballot measure would shake up the distribution of power between the independently elected branches of government if approved by a majority of voters.
“I trust the voters of San Mateo County to make good decisions,” Corzo said, according to FOX 2 KTVU.
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Corpus, who is also facing a growing impeachment campaign and calls for him to step down, sent a letter to the board complaining about the move, which he says will usurp his elected authority.
The vote comes after retirement Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell issued a 408-page report last month detailing allegations that Corpus “spoke and texted several racist and homophobic slurs in the workplace,” retaliated against sheriff’s office employees, and gave his chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, undue power. .
The report alleges that the sheriff has an inappropriate, and possibly close, relationship with Aenlle, a claim that Corpus has denied.
“The Board of Supervisors and the County Executive have appointed themselves judge, jury, attorney and executioner,” the sheriff wrote, according to FOX 2.
A police chief slammed Cordell’s report as “spreading baseless allegations.”
“There are many questions about how the County enacted this despicable chapter,” Corpus wrote. “There will be an opportunity for these and other questions to come to the public, but for now, the real question is whether the District’s actions to date and the proposed Charter amendment would be a good reason to remove a voter’s choice.”
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“I’m asking you to proceed with this matter to protect the sheriff’s rights,” said Corpus’ attorney, Tom Mazzucco, at Tuesday’s meeting of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. “This is the right thing to do. When you took the oath of allegiance, you said justice for all.”
“We need to give the sheriff a chance to respond. This is in time for you to usurp the authority of the voters,” he added.
Corpus is also facing a complaint brought by the deputy union and the Office of Sheriff’s Sergeants (OSS) regarding unfair labor practices. It cites a violation of the Brown Act.
“It prohibits an employer from interfering in union affairs, retaliating against union business and threatening the union,” Deputy Sheriff’s Association attorney Sean Currin said, according to a FOX 2 report.
Some members of the community defended the officer at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I think he’s done some amazing things for the sheriff’s office, as far as crime going down,” said Half Moon Bay resident Monica Berlin. “To you, all of you, just attacking him shows more about you. And I know you’re evil.”
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Corpus asked for an opportunity to address the allegations. The board on Tuesday approved an opportunity for Corpus to speak under oath on Dec. 10, though Corzo bowed out.
“Again, I’m very concerned that even if I’m sworn in, our sheriff is going to use this as a platform to continue to lie, so I’m going to stop this,” Corzo said.
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