Further findings continue to strengthen the investigation into Sheriff Christina Corpus and her executive team, and Supervisor Ray Mueller said in a press conference Thursday that the cost of the ongoing scandal is already adding up.
An investigation conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell outlined substantial evidence of conflicts of interest — including abuse of power, retaliation, homophobic texts and an inappropriate relationship between Corpus and former Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle.
The first two accusations resulted in the first of likely many claims filed against San Mateo County naming members of the Sheriff’s Office executive team at fault. The complaint was received by the county Nov. 19, and details two instances in the last three months when former Capt. Brian Philip felt he was being retaliated against for not following orders he felt were unlawful.
“All of this dysfunction under her leadership and the relationship she has with [Victor] Aenlle [is] undoubtedly going to cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in lawsuits,” Mueller said. “Money that should have been used to help the hungry and the sick and the vulnerable in this county.”
Philip began working as a captain in August 2023. Shortly after, Aenlle allegedly demanded Philip to stop communicating with Corpus, according to the complaint.
“Aenlle appeared threatened and angered by my then-friendly relationship with Sheriff Corpus,” Philip wrote.
On around Sept. 3, Philip refused to serve an internal affairs notice he believed violated the accused officer’s rights and retaliated against protected union activity, according to the complaint.
“Less than one week after my refusal to engage in illegal activity, I was immediately transferred from my prestigious assignment into a nonexistent and undesirable assignment,” Philip wrote.
Other means of retaliation, according to the complaint, include being treated in an aggressive and hostile manner by Undersheriff Dan Perea, being forced to communicate through his personal devices rather than county channels for communication, and receiving nonurgent demands from the executive staff on days off.
On Nov. 12, Philip said he was ordered by Perea to arrest Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Carlos Tapia who publicly engaged in legally protected union activity.
“Undersheriff Perea refused to provide me with any factual basis to warrant this arrest,” Philip wrote. “Perea then ordered me not to report this arrest order to Human Resources or the District Attorney’s Office.”
Philip is seeking restitution for “substantial emotional distress” and lost wages, pension, earning capacity and benefits.
With Philip’s resignation, five captains remain in the Sheriff’s Office and they unanimously voted no confidence in Corpus and on Nov. 18 called for her resignation as well as Perea’s. They joined the leaders of all union organizations within the Sheriff’s Office and county leadership in calling for their resignations.
“The two are literally left standing alone in the sheriff’s department,” Mueller said. “The sheriff has lost the faith and trust of her team.”
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Capts. Mike Myers and Eamonn Allen were in attendance at Thursday’s press conference.
“We stand here today in appreciation for Supervisor Mueller and the Board of Supervisors who have given voice to the voiceless within our organization and to show support for the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who continue to show up to work and do a tremendous job every day under difficult circumstances,” Myers said.
The captains present would not answer further questions.
Part of the urgency includes concerns about Aenlle — a civilian who was Corpus’ chief of staff until the board abolished the position Nov. 13. Aenlle is named in the majority of complaints substantiated by Cordell’s investigation, including his improper access to suppressed rifles.
An interaction between Perea and Aenlle Nov. 14 was documented in an email from the undersheriff to Corpus furthering these concerns. That same day — two days after Cordell’s report was made public — Aenlle asked Perea to change the code to the gun safe. When Perea said he didn’t know the code, Aenlle told him what it was.
Mueller noted the audacity of Aenlle’s request to alter evidence, which was made at a time that Aenlle’s role within the county is as a reserve deputy at best — though that is still under investigation as well.
“At the time this request was made, there is an active investigation taking place into whether or not he has access to these rifles,” Mueller said.
Allegations over Corpus using homophobic slurs were also substantiated recently with a forensic analysis of the phone of the witness who received the text messages. This witness is regarded to “civilian employee (#3)” in Cordell’s report, who is a key source of evidence throughout the report.
Aenlle did not want to comment on any recent allegations. Corpus has continually condemned the allegations contained in the report as false. Perea could not be reached for comment.
Supervisor Noelia Corzo participated in the press conference remotely and translated Mueller’s message in Spanish, in an effort to speak to the Latino community directly, stating “we need leaders worthy of our trust and who can protect us in the coming years.”
“I will not stand by with my arms crossed and watch our sheriff use the Latino community to hide and to attempt to evade taking accountability for her actions,” Corzo said. “Our community needs to be united against lies, against corruption.”
The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission — which was established December 2023 as a mechanism to increase transparency from the Sheriff’s Office and act as an advisory role to the Board of Supervisors through oversight and accountability — held a meeting Nov. 20 to discuss the investigative report’s findings, reiterating calls for an independent oversight body and inspector general.
The full 400-page report by Cordell can be accessed at www.smcgov.org/ceo/independent-investigation-sheriffs-office in addition to press conferences and statements on the matter on behalf of the county.
(1) comment
Her gold Sheriff’s badge just gets more tarnished as new revelations surface. Stop the bleeding and resign!
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