Deputy union files 2nd complaint against San Mateo County sheriff

“It’s a disturbing pattern of behavior that illustrates the long-term damage she is inflicting every day she remains in office,” Storch said. 

Officially filed with the state agency May 2, the complaint claims Corpus gave an improper notice of an internal affairs investigation, increased the number of correctional officers without union conference, and interfered with the union rights of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. 

When ordered to participate in an internal affairs interview March 14, DSA President Carlos Tapia was not given the specific policy sections that he was allegedly in violation of prior to the interview, which goes against past practice, the claim alleges. 

The internal affairs interview was conducted at the direction of Corpus after she ordered the warrantless arrest of Tapia for felony charges of timecard fraud.

On Nov. 12, a scathing investigative report was made public that detailed evidence of lies, intimidation and conflicts of interest in the Sheriff’s Office. That morning, Corpus had Tapia arrested. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced Dec. 16, that the arrest was wrongful and unnecessary, but Corpus stated an internal review process would proceed as “standard protocol when the arrest involves an employee.” 

Tapia was an early whistleblower against the Corpus administration, and has remained a central figure in the back-and-forth allegations in regards to the Sheriff’s Office scandal that has led to calls for Corpus’ resignation and extraneous efforts by the county to remove her from her elected position. 

With Tapia’s arrest, he was also placed on administrative leave, which initially required him to remain at his home during work hours and banned him from entering any Sheriff’s Office worksite, the claim alleges. Although Tapia can now work from the DSA’s headquarters, as union president, he should be able to communicate with his union members at their place of work, the claim states. 

“This unlawful order has already caused distress among union members,” the claim alleges. “The restrictions placed on Carlos Tapia have hindered his ability to represent his membership.” 

The May 2 complaint alleges the sheriff over hired correctional officers without conferring with the union, which had agreed to allow for 164 correctional officer positions. According to a vacancy report released by the Sheriff’s Office, Corpus has hired 172 people to the position.

“This change directly impacts the union because it takes away from other positions,” the claim alleges. The vacancy report, as of March 15, shows that there are 44 deputy vacancies, nine of which are being “underfilled by correctional officers” — the nine that exceed the allotted 164 correctional officers. 

The DSA filed its first complaint with PERB in September 2024, a motion that began the public’s awareness of low morale in the Sheriff’s Office at the hands of Corpus and Victor Aenlle, her former chief of staff with who she was accused of having a personal relationship. In April, the state agency affirmed the claims of unfair labor practices, and a settlement conference is slated for May 14.

The Sheriff’s Office and San Mateo County did not respond immediately to requests for comment.