San Mateo County Board of Supervisors move to oust sheriff as more evidence surfaces

“We need a way out of this,” Corzo said at the Nov. 19 Board of Supervisors meeting.

An investigation conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell outlined substantial evidence of corruption within the office’s top brass.

The authority to remove a sheriff could only be granted by voters on March 4, 2025, through a special election where they would weigh in on approving an amendment to the county’s charter.

If passed by voters, the ordinance would grant the board the authority, until Dec. 31, 2028, to remove an elected sheriff from office for just cause with a four-fifths vote of the board. This vote could only be held after the sheriff is given a statement of the alleged grounds for removal and provided an opportunity to defend themselves.

Corpus said in a press release the decision by the Board of Supervisors was “antidemocratic” and “a mean-spirited political scheme.”

“I am not going anywhere,” Corpus wrote. “The ‘Good Ol’ Boy’ system has met its match in me. I will not back down.”

Corpus has previously stated she believes the investigative report is one sided and has made claims that evidence included is fabricated. Corpus chose not to participate in Cordell’s interviews for the report.

In one instance, Corpus said in a Nov. 12 press conference that evidence exhibited in the report was fabricated, including a screenshot of text messages where she used a homophobic slur directed toward lesbians.

Supervisor Ray Mueller said the witness’ phone has since been obtained and the text including the slur has been verified.

“The case against the sheriff continues to get stronger,” Mueller said. “The strength of that 400-page report is standing up.”

The proposed charter amendment was a conclusion arrived at without pleasure, and the granted authority would be only to act under serious wrongdoing that jeopardizes public safety and trust, Corzo said.

The sunset clause of the ordinance hopes to address concerns over the county using this as a “power grab” but rather presenting it as a measure to address this specific circumstance, Mueller said.

If passed at its second reading at the Dec. 3 board meeting, the charter amendment proposal would be placed on March ballots. If granted the authority, the board would then have to give the sheriff written notice and an opportunity to be heard publicly. Then, the vote by the board could take place.

Though many have raised favor for an alternative approach to ousting Corpus through a recall effort, Corzo said it could take too long and “is not a simple lift.”

Proponents of a recall would have to prepare a notice of intention, serve it to the sheriff and file it with the Chief Elections Office within that same week. Then, it would take nearly 45,000 signatures gathered within 160 days before the recall election could be held, Chief Election Officers Mark Church wrote in a statement. If this was done sufficiently, as certified by Church’s office, the board would then issue an order for a recall election that must be held no less than 88 or more than 125 days later.

“I see it clearly as it being our duty as a board of supervisors to offer solutions to our community, and this is one that meets the urgency of the facts that we are presented with right now,” Corzo said. “And honestly, March is not soon enough for what’s happening right now.”

Part of the urgency includes concerns over Victor 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 Undersheriff Dan Perea and Aenlle on 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, Perea wrote. When Perea said he didn’t know the code, Aenlle told him what it was.

“I found the suggestion inappropriate,” Perea wrote to Corpus. “I have informed [Aenlle] that I would not comply with his request and asked that he cease contacting me.”

This correspondence was handed over to the District Attorney’s office to be considered alongside the investigative report.

Though the charter amendment under consideration would provide authority for what Mueller referred to as an “immediate crisis” that will expire by the next election for sheriff in 2028.

Many residents shared their maintained support for Corpus and her ongoing efforts to promote safety in the county. Particularly, residents from the North Fair Oaks neighborhood shared their satisfaction with her tenure as sheriff so far.

Regardless of satisfaction with the sheriff, granting the board authority over the elected position is an overreach of power, the California State Sheriff’s Association wrote in a letter to the board Nov. 18.

“Placing this power into the hands of individual board members, coupled with the subjectivity of ‘cause,’ disenfranchises your constituents’ votes and undermines confidence in the electoral process,” the letter read.

A recall effort is more appropriate should the need arise to remove a sheriff before their term is up, the letter reads. Further, the attorney general has supervision authority over all sheriffs in the state.

Still, the county is moving forward in an effort that Mueller has described as stabilizing a dysfunctional office. He and Corzo reiterated this scandal’s effect on public safety.

“While it may be true that certain people or communities have seen improved conditions, that is not the case for everyone and most definitely not the case for both administrative and sworn staff in the Sheriff’s Office who are working under duress, who are working under conditions that no one should be exposed to,” Corzo said.

Legislative leaders representing the county have joined county supervisors in calling for the immediate resignation of the sheriff.

In Corpus’ defense remains Half Moon Bay Mayor Joaquin Jimenez who reiterated how she “represents our community” at the board meeting. Jimenez suggested Corzo was a pawn played to allow for racism against the sheriff.

“I want to congratulate you for using the smoke and mirrors,” Jimenez said during public comment. “I want to congratulate you for using Supervisor Corzo, a woman of color, to remove the highest elected official in the sheriff’s department. Yes, I am saying this. I am claiming white supremacy.”

Mueller said the suggestion that the ongoing investigation into Corpus is “race based” is misguided, noting that Cordell is a Black woman.

“I know in my heart that’s not the case,” Mueller said.

The fiscal impact associated with the special election is unknown, but the county would be responsible for the costs of all services performed. Estimating costs is challenging, Church wrote, but a comparable countywide election held in 2021 cost $3,722,113, averaging $8.33 per vote.

The second reading of the ordinance will be done at the Dec. 3 Board of Supervisors meeting.

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.

Note to readers: This story was changed. The phone that was forensically analyzed was the witness’.