Complaint: Former sheriff’s chief of staff threatened lawsuit against union

On Oct. 4, Aenlle’s attorney sent a letter to the presidents of the DSA and the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants alleging their complaints against Aenlle were defamatory, and threatened to sue if the unions did not retract their previous statements. 

“Mr. Aenlle argues baseless claims of defamation against the DSA and OSS in an attempt to retaliate and silence both Associations,” the amended complaint reads. 

As the recipient of the letter, DSA President Carlos Tapia said, under penalty of perjury, he felt “threatened and concerned he could no longer communicate effectively with his membership for fear of being sued,” the amended complaint reads. 

The DSA initially filed a complaint with the Public Employment Relations Board, a state agency, in August as concerns over the Sheriff’s Office executive team began to rise. The complaint detailed inefficient bargaining practices and unilateral changes without union conference in regards to overtime and staffing. The amendment reiterates the complaints initially outlined.

Aenlle was included in the initial complaint for union busting and other unethical labor practices, and in September, the DSA voted no confidence in him. The Board of Supervisors abolished Aenlle’s former position, but his role within the county remains unknown after Corpus attempted to promote him to assistant sheriff to keep him on her executive team.

Investigations remain underway into the Sheriff’s Office and the findings from Cordell’s 400-page report, which outline evidence of abuse of power, retaliation and conflicts of interest. In the meantime, the Board of Supervisors are looking to voters to approve a charter amendment allowing the governing body the ability to remove Corpus from office as calls for her resignation amount and a recall effort remains a possibility. 

Aenlle did not return a call for comment.