Embattled DSA president returns to work

While losing 50 pounds could be seen as a healthy lifestyle change, Tapia lost the weight drastically due to the stress he’s carried for the last year. 

“I literally withered away,” Tapia said. “And I wish I could say it was healthy, but it wasn’t.”

As union president, Tapia was a key whistleblower against former Sheriff Christina Corpus and ultimately subject to retaliation at her hand. Until just last week, Tapia had remained on administrative leave following his unwarranted and wrongful arrest ordered by Corpus Nov. 12, 2024. 

“She’s gone, and it’s a huge weight off my shoulders, but removal is one thing and justice is another,” Tapia said. “I’m not going to lie, I want justice.” 

A year to the day after Tapia was arrested, Ken Binder was appointed as Corpus’ successor and sworn into office as the 27th sheriff of San Mateo County. Tapia described the timing as “poetic justice.” 

“It’s like I was taking half breaths, and I couldn’t get a full breath … and I can breathe now,” Tapia said. 

Although Tapia was able to perform his duties as union president during his administrative leave — though only after he fought to be able to — at 6 a.m. Monday, he worked his first shift in the transportation and court security bureau in over a year.

“It just felt really, really good. It felt like the first day of work all over again,” Tapia said. “It’s weird, your mind plays tricks on you, and it’s like ‘Carlos, you’ve done this before,’ but I was really nervous.”

Tapia began working for the Sheriff’s Office in 2009. He and his wife live in their home in San Bruno, which Tapia grew up in with his grandparents, and they have three children, Vanessa, Carlos Jr. and Bella. 

His eldest, Vanessa Lemus-Tapia, was a distinct voice among many advocating on behalf of her father and the unions of the Sheriff’s Office. When Tapia couldn’t speak out about certain things, his daughter often found a mic and shared what their family was going through. 

Working as union president

Before becoming union president in 2022, Tapia was working patrol in the city of Millbrae and being on the ground was where he wanted to be. Holding a leadership position was nowhere near on his mind, until his predecessor said he’d be perfect for the job. 

The role of Deputy Sheriff’s Association president was not pitched to Tapia as a job where he would be holding press conferences, running a campaign or be subject to retaliation — but it’s what had to be done, he said. 

“There were days when I wanted to just say ‘f— this,’ someone else can take over,” Tapia said. “But I realized, no, I can’t give up. There are people depending on me. I have to see this out. Not until the mission is accomplished.” 

After Corpus was elected in 2022, it was not long before rumors began swirling about an inappropriate personal relationship she was maintaining with Victor Aenlle, a civilian she ultimately put on her executive team. 

When Tapia received a text message from retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, who was conducting an investigation into allegations against Aenlle in August 2024, he was far from surprised. Over the two years, complaints had only piled on regarding Aenlle, Tapia said. 

“When there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Tapia said. 

Arrest

Corpus was removed from her elected position by the Board of Supervisors Oct. 14 after a judge found that she violated county law regarding conflict of interest, she retaliated against employees and she ordered the unwarranted arrest of Tapia Nov. 12, 2024. 

Tapia received a call that morning from the union’s attorney who said he had to surrender himself before 1 p.m., and he wasn’t told what the charges were until he arrived at the county jail. He was searched, had his booking photo and fingerprints taken and placed into a holding cell before his bail was posted. 

“It sucked, it sucked so bad,” Tapia said. “I worked really hard to get this position, to where I’m at. It took me a long time, and just all of a sudden, it’s taken away from me and I’m on the other side? It’s wild.” 

Tapia’s arrest happened the morning Cordell’s damning report into Aenlle and Corpus was made public, and a day before Tapia’s birthday. It was also just over a month since his father died, on Sept. 4, 2024. That time period in Tapia’s memory is blurry, he said. 

“The worst thing about it was, I didn’t get to mourn that s— because I stayed in the fight,” Tapia said. 

Tapia was placed on administrative leave after his arrest, which could have served as a forced time to grieve and process. However, he thinks he worked harder than he ever has before. 

“I knew I needed to fight this,” Tapia said. “You took away my police powers, fine, but I should be able to represent them, I should be able to fight for them,” Tapia said about his union members. 

Support of others

The work of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, alongside the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants and with support from the San Mateo Labor Council, were critical in the “fight against corruption,” Tapia said. 

It was because of the unions and their support that Tapia felt that everything he had gone through was worth it. 

Earlier this month, Tapia joined his fellow labor organizers and attended an event honoring renowned civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, who visited Redwood City. Tapia said it was particularly special to hear from “one of the greats” in the ongoing, everlasting labor movement. 

Remnants of Corpus’ tenure and impact on Tapia’s professional career still ever so slightly remain, he said. 

When Tapia went to pick up his badge before his shift started Monday, staff couldn’t find his — numbered 1075 — and he was issued a temporary recycled one. While he hopes they find it stored away in a safe place, Tapia will get a replacement if they believe it was lost or thrown away. His key card still has yet to work again. 

“The ghost is still around,” Tapia said. “But I know it takes time. I have hope.”

On Monday, Sheriff Binder joined the sworn officers during their morning briefing — the first time Tapia had seen Binder in his new capacity as sheriff. 

Binder is making his rounds throughout the Sheriff’s Office, connecting with his recently-inherited staff, but he also wanted to honor a key moment that closes yet another chapter. 

“I’m here to welcome Carlos Tapia back to work,” Binder said.