San Mateo County Board of Supervisors initiate the removal of sheriff

The vote made Thursday begins the countdown to what may be Corpus’ last day as the sheriff of San Mateo County — just over two years since she was sworn in as the first Latina to serve in the position. 

The notice of intent — a 59-page document with 524 pages of evidence and 42 witness interviews — concludes that Corpus engaged in “multiple acts of misconduct” including violating the law in relation to the sheriff’s duties, repeated neglect of the sheriff’s duties and obstruction of an investigation into the conduct of the sheriff. 

The extraordinary effort to remove Corpus comes after a year of the public becoming aware of reports of a Sheriff’s Office workforce operating under low morale, allegations of retaliation and abuse of power, and many lawsuits already filed.

Corpus, who made an appearance at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting, said the decision was “expected.” 

“I am here today, standing tall, because I know what is right, I’ve done nothing wrong,” Corpus said. “I am here today to tell you that I can’t wait to be heard, in the appropriate arena.” 

Corpus and her attorneys objected to publishing the notice of intent — with redactions to protect personnel information — citing the privacy of peace officer records as outlined in the Peace Officer Bill of Rights. 

The proposed notice of intent was sent to Corpus and her attorneys Monday, June 2, but her lead counsel Thomas Mazzucco said on Thursday he has not been able to go through the entire document. 

“We’ve seen portions of it, we’re going through it right now,” Mazzucco said. “It’s very vague and it’s all over the place.” 

The finalized notice of intent was approved by supervisors without any changes made from what was sent Monday, County Attorney John Nibbelin said. 

In regards to the privacy of peace officers, Nibbelin said he believes it’s “arguable” whether these laws apply in this context, but the county has decided to respect Corpus’ wishes out of “an abundance of caution.” 

“We believe this is the best way for us to keep this process on track,” Nibbelin said. 

Mazzucco also argued that supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller have made public statements calling for Corpus’ removal, making them biased and unable to cast a neutral vote for removal. He said he will look to have the two supervisors removed from voting, and will be filing motions opposing the proceedings with the courts. 

The board did not discuss the vote or their reasoning for moving forward with the process, however, Corzo said the county is focused on following the approved procedures. 

“We as a board respect this process,” Corzo said. “We build these processes to respect judicial scrutiny and due process, and we’ll see it all the way through.” 

Next steps

With supervisors’ approval, the final notice of intent will be served on Corpus, and within five days she must appear for a pre-removal hearing conference with representatives from the county and Chief Probation Office John Keene. This will be recorded, unless Corpus objects. 

Keene will then provide a written recommendation to the Board of Supervisors whether to remove Corpus, which it will either sustain or reject. A final decision to remove Corpus will be made by another four-fifths vote, and can be appealed by Corpus if she wants an evidentiary under-oath hearing, in front of a separate hearing officer from Keene. 

This hearing will be open, unless Corpus objects and requests it to be closed. 

When such a hearing may take place has changed with each update by the county. In a previous staff report, it was estimated to likely occur in August 2025. A new proposed timeline states the process may take four months to complete, according to a Thursday press release. 

Corpus announces new hire

On Wednesday, Corpus also announced the appointment of Sergio Enriquez as assistant sheriff, overseeing the Operations Division that includes investigations, patrol, professional standards and transit bureaus. 

The press release announcing his appointment affirmed that “Corpus retains the authority” to appoint whom she chooses to the position — a similar sentiment to her former repeated affirmation “the coach picks the team.” 

Enriquez retired as assistant chief of police for the Santa Ana Police Department, where he served in various capacities. He worked on establishing the first de-escalation training center in Orange County, and implementing the department’s first body worn camera program. 

“Assistant Sheriff Enriquez is a dedicated law enforcement leader, with three decades of experience,” Corpus wrote in a press release. “I look forward to his contributions, not only to the office, but also the communities we serve.” 

The assistant sheriff position, of which there are two, has remained vacant since November — since, the sheriff’s executive team has remained Corpus and Undersheriff Dan Perea. 

Former acting assistant sheriff Matthew Fox resigned from the position Nov. 14, two days after an investigative report written by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell was made public. Fox was promoted to the position just two months earlier after Corpus fired his predecessor Ryan Monaghan, two days after Monaghan informed Corpus he spoke with Cordell for the investigation. 

Victor Aenlle served as executive director of administration, or self-proclaimed chief of staff, which he has said previously was of the same level of authority as the undersheriff, though many others have disagreed. Aenlle was a central figure in the allegations made against Corpus and her administration, including that the two were involved in an inappropriate personal relationship.

The day following the release of the Cordell investigation, the Board of Supervisors effectively zeroed out the budget for Aenlle’s role — he was the first in the county’s history to be given such a title in the Sheriff’s Office — effectively removing him from the position. Though, his name and picture remain on the Sheriff’s Office website administration page. 

Aenlle no longer is employed by the county through the Sheriff’s Office, but he is a reserve deputy, after Corpus reinstated him to the position in April. Aenlle now assists in the Sheriff’s Office’s Concealed Carry Weapons Unit.