A civil grand jury has formally accused embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus of willful or corrupt misconduct in office.
The accusation is the latest action against Corpus, who was essentially fired last week by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, after an independent investigation found Corpus broke the law while performing her duties.
Corpus’ lawyers have said she’ll appeal the board’s decision.
Issued Friday, the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury’s allegations accuse Corpus of a conflict of interest pertaining to the hiring and supervision of her department’s former executive director of administration, Victor Aenlle, with whom she had a close personal relationship.
The grand jury also accused Corpus of three counts of retaliation, pertaining to the termination of former assistant sheriff Ryan Monaghan, the transfer of Captain Brian Philip, and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, the president of the deputy sheriff’s association.
The grand jury action followed a month-long hearing during which 32 witnesses, including Corpus, testified under oath. The hearing was conducted by the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, which advised the civil grand jury.
Corpus is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 to answer the accusations. She’s entitled to a jury trial.
The board of supervisors said Corpus allegedly neglected her job duties repeatedly and obstructed an investigation into her conduct. Another board-commissioned investigation into Corpus last year said the sheriff used racial and homophobic slurs and engaged in nepotism, false arrest and retaliation.
“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 has denied the allegations and refused calls to resign.
Her attorneys said the process and investigations have been “fatally flawed” and accused Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller of being biased for comments made publicly about Corpus.
San Mateo County voters in March approved Measure A, an amendment to the county charter allowing supervisors to remove a sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote.
Corpus was the county’s first woman and Latina sheriff after being elected in 2022. She pushed for law enforcement reform and transparency during her campaign.
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