Board of Supervisors may fire San Mateo County sheriff Tuesday

Emerson’s conclusion followed a two-week evidentiary hearing held in August, when attorneys representing the county accused Corpus of 18 violations of the San Mateo County charter. The 42-page advisory opinion determined there was a preponderance of evidence that established the county has cause to remove Corpus from office. 

Corpus did not respond to request for comment. 

A total of 36 witnesses testified under oath and 174 exhibits were admitted during the hearing. The county used approximately 20 1/2 hours of its allocated 35 hours, while Corpus used approximately 31 hours, according to a county staff report.

Corpus’ relationship with Aenlle raised concerns from personnel within the Sheriff’s Office shortly after she hired him as a civilian member of her executive team. Corpus “tolerated, enabled and acquiesced to Mr. Aenlle’s conduct that was detrimental to the morale and proper function of the Sheriff’s Office” Emerson wrote. 

Emerson stated Corpus lost credibility during the hearing by her incessant denial of holding a close personal relationship with Aenlle. 

This lack of credibility placed her testimony under scrutiny when gauged against the testimony of other witnesses, particularly regarding the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, Emerson said. 

On Nov. 12, 2024, the morning an investigation into Corpus was slated to be published, Corpus ordered the arrest of Tapia, who is the president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, for alleged timecard fraud. Immediate concerns were raised that it was retaliatory due to the DSA’s role as whistleblowers in the investigation against Corpus, and within a month the arrest was deemed wrongful and unnecessary by District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

During the evidentiary hearing, the county’s witnesses and Corpus “offered differing accounts of what led to the investigation into Deputy Tapia’s timecard reporting and ultimate arrest, so much so that the undersigned Hearing Officer can only conclude that one side is not telling the truth,” Emerson wrote in the advisory opinion.  

Emerson determined Corpus subjected Tapia to punitive action because of his role as an elected representative of the DSA with retaliatory intent. 

Corpus also retaliated against Capt. Brian Philip, Emerson determined. 

After Philip refused to sign and serve a deficient internal affairs notice to Sgt. Javier Acosta, Corpus transferred Philip to a “less desirable and advantageous post in retaliation.” 

After Philip was reassigned, he was also ordered by Undersheriff Dan Perea to carry out the arrest of Tapia on Nov. 12, 2024. Rather than carry out the arrest, Philip resigned. Instead, former Acting Assistant Sheriff Matthew Fox carried out the arrest. 

A pile of crossfire lawsuits by most key figures involved in the Sheriff’s Office scandal is continuing, with Philip, Tapia and Aenlle filing their own suits. The latest complaint was filed by brothers Javier Acosta and Hector Acosta against the county, Corpus and Aenlle alleging wrongful discipline and emotional distress. 

“She ran on a platform of accountability, transparency, fairness, and change,” the claim reads. “She failed to deliver accountability and while she has delivered change, it has been change for the worse.” 

Hector Acosta, president of the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants, was also a key whistleblower against Corpus’ administration throughout the last year, alongside Tapia. 

The complaint, filed by the brothers’ attorney Charles Stone, alleges Corpus and Aenlle conspired to place Javier Acosta on administrative leave in August 2024 as retaliation against Hector Acosta for his actions as OSS president.

Javier Acosta has remained on administrative leave since August 2024 after he was served an internal affairs investigation notice, ultimately signed by Fox, rather than Philip. This placement on administrative leave was a strategic effort to disarm Hector Acosta as a union leader. 

“Corpus and Aenlle are well-known to be paranoid and to have fragile egos,” the complaint reads.  

If the board votes to remove Corpus from office on Tuesday, the decision is final and effective immediately. 

The Board of Supervisors have committed not to fill the vacancy for 14 days following the decision, to allow Corpus and her legal team the time to pursue any litigation if she’s fired. The board must decide within 30 days of Corpus’ vacancy to either make an appointment or order a special election to occur.