Captains within the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office vote no confidence in Sheriff Corpus

“We hope that this matter is addressed with the seriousness it warrants, and we hope you will take the necessary actions to move forward,” Dal Porto wrote. 

The call comes after an investigation conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell outlined substantial evidence of retaliation, abuse of power and conflicts of interest within Corpus’ administration. 

The vote of no confidence was taken over the Nov. 16-17 weekend by captains Eamonn Allen, Richard Cheechov, Mark Myers, William Fogarty and Dal Porto. The five captains join the Board of Supervisors, local legislative leaders, and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association board who have all called for Corpus’ resignation. The DSA Board also called for Perea’s resignation. 

Corpus said her top priority is public safety, and she is working “very hard at making sure there is harmony for the people who protect this community.” 

“While I am disappointed with the comments of the Captains, I am committed to moving forward, improving our workplace environment and healing relationships,” Corpus wrote in a statement. 

Myers and Allen were promoted to captain in August 2023 alongside Brian Philip and Matthew Fox by Corpus. Fox was promoted to acting assistant sheriff in September 2024 after Corpus fired his predecessor Ryan Monaghan, two days after Monaghan informed Corpus he spoke with Cordell for the ongoing investigation. 

Fox was also the one who ordered Philip to arrest DSA President Carlos Tapia Nov. 12 — the day the investigative report was released publicly. Tapia has been a key figure in the effort to expose Corpus’ administration’s flaws, and the union condemned the arrest saying it has “all the earmarks of whistleblower retaliation.” 

Philip resigned rather than carry out the order himself. Fox resigned two days later. 

As the calls for Corpus’ resignation continue, the Board of Supervisors is making strides to oust the sheriff through a charter amendment that would allow the governing body authority to fire the elected official under very specific circumstances. 

The first reading of the proposed ordinance was presented to the board at its Nov. 19 meeting, and the second reading will be done at the Dec. 3 meeting. If approved, the charter amendment proposal would be placed on a March ballot for voter approval. 

The full 400-page report by Cordell can be accessed at www.smcgov.org/ceo/independent-investigation-sheriffs-office in addition to press conferences and statements on the matter on behalf of the county.