Amid efforts to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from her position, she continues to maintain her right as the elected top cop to “pick her team,” most recently by reinstating her former chief of staff Victor Aenlle as a reserve deputy working in the Concealed Carry Weapon Unit last week.
In an email sent Thursday to leaders of the Homeland Security and Emergency Services Bureau, Corpus stated “Reserve Deputy Aenlle will be assisting in our CCW Unit effective immediately,” and asked for him to be added to the “active list,” and to ensure he received correspondence related to the reserve unit.
Aenlle will be processing and reviewing applications to carry concealed guns, which must ultimately be approved by Corpus.
“I’m there to do a job that the sheriff needs assistance with, that I have a lot of experience with,” Aenlle said.
Aenlle was formerly Corpus’ executive director of administration, a civilian role in her executive team, until his position was effectively abolished by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in November after an investigator concluded he was responsible for much of the turmoil within the office.
A monthslong investigation into Corpus and Aenlle by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell found evidence of corruption, misconduct, an inappropriate personal relationship between the two, and a Sheriff’s Office operating under the pair using scare tactics and threats of retaliation.
Cordell’s findings looked into 15 allegations, 11 of which were largely in regards to Aenlle and sustained.
Cordell’s investigation sustained the allegation that Aenlle had not met the requirement of working 192 volunteer hour each year to maintain a Level I Reserve Deputy status while he was in his paid executive director of administration position.
“It appears that Aenlle has used his full-time, salaried position as executive director to fulfill his obligation to perform reserve deputy work hours,” Cordell wrote in her report. “In other words, Aenlle is double-dipping.”
Aenlle has remained a “fully qualified reserve deputy for over 17 years” — including while he was a paid employee, and after that position was abolished — and thus is able to be assigned to work, Corpus said in a statement. Aenlle said he agreed to the assignment to stay in compliance with the mandated volunteer hours.
“As sheriff, I have the authority to assign reserve deputies to work anywhere there is a need,” Corpus wrote in a statement.
While in his paid executive director role, Aenlle oversaw the CCW unit. He said he is responsible for the unit being “one of the best operated units” in the Sheriff’s Office.
“I built the unit, I hired the coordinator. At the direction of the sheriff, I revamped the entire unit,” Aenlle said. “I created this unit, I know the ins and outs, I know how to keep it running smoothly.”
Corpus cited an influx in the number of applications for Concealed Carry Weapon licenses, which has created a backlog in need of addressing and requiring more personnel. Aenlle will not be overseeing the entire unit.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which has been an outspoken opponent to the Corpus administration, did not provide comment on Aenlle’s reinstatement.
The turmoil at the Sheriff’s Office emerged as a labor dispute among deputy sheriffs and sergeants, which led to an overwhelming no-confidence vote in Aenlle by the DSA. The Board of Supervisors retained Cordell in July 2024 following an unprecedented amount of complaints regarding Aenlle and Corpus. In March, 84% of voters agreed to give the Board of Supervisors the temporary powers to remove the sheriff from office. The board is now determining the best path to do that.
(3) comments
The CCW unit is the epitome of pay to play - you don't get one in SM County unless you know somebody or pay somebody.
Another poke in the eyes of all San Mateo County residents. How in the world does she get away with it? Come on, Supervisors, get with the program. We need more than speeches and resolutions.
She’s pushing the envelope. What does she have to lose (as you commented earlier ) she laughs her way to da bank. P.S. They’re just platonic friends.
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