Former San Mateo County sheriff confidant testifies

“I’m very disappointed,” Barnes said. “I just can’t believe this is where we’re at right now.” 

Barnes’ testimony echoed what she anonymously said last fall to retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, who was hired by the county to investigate numerous human resource complaints into Corpus and Aenlle. She was referred to in Cordell’s 400-page investigative report as “civilian employee #3” and was the main source that spoke to Corpus and Aenlle’s questionable relationship. 

Barnes worked under Corpus during her tenure as captain of the Millbrae Police Bureau and ultimately became a key supporter of Corpus’ campaign. 

“I believed we needed a change in our office,” Barnes said. “I believed in what she had to say. I thought she’d bring a boost in morale and merit-based promotions.”

The two maintained a close friendship, and would discuss personal information with one another including familial problems and would refer to each other by nicknames. 

In June 2021, Corpus introduced Barnes to Aenlle over lunch. After that initial interaction, Barnes told Corpus “that man is in love with you,” she testified. Barnes described Aenlle as “googly eyed.” 

Barnes recalled back rubs, foot rubs and hands held between Aenlle and Corpus, and one instance where she saw them kiss on the lips. 

She testified Corpus and Aenlle appeared to have an intimate relationship, stating that Aenlle once said that he and Corpus were “practicing a lot to have kids.” 

Corpus asked Barnes to look for wedding venues in Maui, and that after she and Aenlle divorced their respective partners that they would get married. 

Recovered text messages show that Barnes texted Corpus a link to a venue called Haiku Mill, and said “this is where your reception will be” in January 2022. Corpus testified on Tuesday that she did not know what Haiku Mill was and denied asking Barnes to look at venues. 

Corpus’ attorney Mariah Cooks noted that none of the text exchanges occurred while Corpus was sworn in as sheriff. She also asked Barnes if she felt it was odd that Aenlle and Corpus would engage in an affair in front of their respective family members. 

“That just doesn’t make logical sense now does it,” Cooks asked. 

“None of this makes sense,” Barnes said. 

On Tuesday, Corpus testified that she bought diamond earrings with her own money. On Wednesday, Barnes said Corpus told her that Aenlle gave Corpus $12,000 in cash to buy the earrings. 

Barnes was also questioned over an alleged conversation she had with Tom Williams, city manager for Millbrae. Barnes allegedly told Williams “I am going to get that b—” in reference to Corpus and that “she doesn’t f— know what’s going to hit her.”

Barnes said she doesn’t recall saying those things. 

Daniel Guiney, a former lieutenant and employee of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office who worked on Corpus’ transition team, also testified. Guiney said Corpus once said she received a new pair of boots as a gift from her ex-husband John Kovach, but that Kovach later told Guiney they were a gift from Aenlle. 

Corpus’ attorney Wilson Leung asked Guiney if he “was ever an adolescent boy” who engaged in “locker room” talk where “off color jokes were made.” Leung asked if a “not safe for work” joke immediately meant someone was racist or homophobic. Guiney said no. 

Jennifer Valdez, former assistant of Aenlle, testified that he once said “te amo” or “I love you” in Spanish to Corpus on a phone call. She also testified that Aenlle would pick up Corpus’ children from school at times, but that Corpus’ ex-husband also would ask Valdez to help with pick-ups at times. 

Aenlle’s threatening presence

Valdez’s testimony also described why she left her role. 

Two days after Aenlle was in effect fired by the Board of Supervisors following the release of Cordell’s investigative report, Valdez became aware that Aenlle still had access to a gun safe in the executive team’s office. 

A memo sent from Undersheriff Dan Perea to Corpus on Nov. 14 said Aenlle admitted he knew the code to a gun safe that contained rifles that were recently obtained by the executive team. The memo was printed on Valdez’s printer, and when she saw the memo, she immediately reported it to Sgt. Joe Fava and County Attorney John Nibbelin, and left her role in the Sheriff’s Office. 

“It was shady to me,” Valdez testified. “He had said he didn’t know the safe codes, but in this letter it shows that he did.” 

“I was scared,” Valdez said. 

Working with Aenlle

Jenna McAlpin was the final witness that took the stand Wednesday, and spoke to her experience working directly under Aenlle. McAlpin was the criminal records manager, and came to take on an additional role as an assistant to Aenlle. 

Although she maintained a good working relationship with Aenlle, McAlpin noticed that he spoke to others in a way that was condescending, and she would feel bad for the people he spoke to that way. Aenlle would vent to McAlpin about personnel that he perceived to be disloyal that “bordered on paranoia,” she said. 

“I was on my best behavior at all times,” McAlpin said. “I was very friendly, supportive, willing to do whatever he needed.” 

McAlpin ultimately took another job for the Redwood City Police Department in April 2024. 

The day before her final day in the Sheriff’s Office, Aenlle went into McAlpin’s office and accused her of spreading lies and hateful messages about Corpus online. The interaction was so intense that McAlpin began to get hives and cried profusely after Aenlle left, she testified. 

McAlpin said Aenlle’s accusations were “devastating.” 

“It was a place I gave my everything to for 14 years and unfortunately that was the way I went out,” McAlpin said. “It caused some health issues and wasn’t the way it should’ve gone.” 

At the end of Corpus’ testimony Wednesday morning, she affirmed her pride in the work she has done as sheriff. Her counsel referenced crime rate statistics and hiring numbers. 

“I come in every day despite the scrutiny, the ridicule, the nastiness I face,” Corpus said. “Yes, I am very proud.” 

The removal hearing will continue at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21.