San Mateo County sheriff places witness on administrative leave

Corpus has a pattern of retaliating against Sheriff’s Office personnel who she perceived to threaten her authority, and “hinders or neglects other disciplinary matters” that at times “appears motivated by favoritism,” the law firm concluded in their report.

“Given the recent disclosure of Sgt. Fava’s name as an important witness in the removal proceedings against Ms. Corpus — which occurred as the result of her attorneys filing publicly rather than confidentially — the timing of the administration leave notice is interesting, to say the least,” Charles Stone, Fava’s attorney, said.

The Sheriff’s Office did not respond to request for comment or confirmation of why Fava was placed on administrative leave.

Corpus fails to discipline, plays favorites

In the law firm’s report, referred to as the Keker report, Fava was a key witness detailing Corpus’ alleged mishandling of internal disciplinary matters, stating she would take too long to address reported misconduct of personnel. Fava deals with internal affairs investigations.

According to Fava’s testimony, Corpus failed to discipline Deputy David Dominguez for permitting a “gang affiliated minor” to smoke a vape in the front seat of a patrol car. Dominguez made campaign contributions to Corpus and is perceived a favorite of Corpus’ within the Sheriff’s Office, according to the Keker report.

Fava recommended an internal investigation into Dominguez in August 2024, but one was not opened until December 2024. As of May 2025, still no resolution of the matter has been reached.

In another case, Jose Martinez-Torres, a probationary correctional officer, applied force to an incarcerated person’s neck “while they were on the ground, unarmed, and surrounded by correctional officers,” according to the Keker report. In January 2025, Fava recommended to his superior and Undersheriff Dan Perea that Martinez-Torres be dismissed, but no action was taken until May, when an investigation was opened, rather than a dismissal, according to the Keker report.

In 2023, correctional officer Alejandro Avendano witnessed a colleague force incarcerated people “to dance in degrading and provocative ways” and failed to report the matter. An investigation was opened, and a removal conference was held with Avendano in July 2024, but Corpus has yet to make any disciplinary decision and conclude the investigation, according to the Keker report.

Avendano — who worked under Corpus when she was captain of the Millbrae Police Bureau — was also involved in a fight with a civilian while off-duty in a public park. Fava recommended an investigation into Avendano in August 2024, but one was not initiated by Perea until December 2024 after the civilian involved in a fight filed a lawsuit, according to the Keker report.

Corpus said she couldn’t believe Avendano “would do something like this” and that it was “out of character,” Fava said, per the report, which also states he often received calls from citizens who submitted complaints and were frustrated by the lack of resolution.

Overall, Corpus has mismanaged the Professional Standards Bureau, which investigates allegations of officer misconduct, the Keker report alleged.

The bureau has had no executive or command-level leadership since September 2024. Former overseeing officers were former Capt. Brian Philip — who quit after he was demoted by Corpus — and former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan — who Corpus fired after he participated in a separate investigation into her administration.

As of May 2025, the Sheriff’s Office has a backlog of at least 38 investigations completed by the bureau, awaiting review by Perea and Corpus.

Removal proceedings

In accordance with the adopted removal proceedings undertaken by the Board of Supervisors, the next step will be an under-oath evidentiary hearing in front of retired Judge James Emerson, set to be held from Aug. 18 to Aug. 29.

The sheriff was also accused by the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury of three counts of retaliation and one count of conflict of interest. The civil grand jury has the authority to formally accuse an elected official and seek their removal from office; this process is independent from the supervisors’ removal proceedings.

On administrative leave, Fava is required to stay at home during the workday and unable to work overtime.

Deputy Carlos Tapia, the president of the deputies’ union and early whistleblower against Corpus, was placed on administrative leave after Corpus had him arrested without warrant on Nov. 12. Although Tapia’s arrest was deemed unlawful and unnecessary by the District Attorney’s Office, he remains on administrative leave, unable to work overtime and collect a significant portion of his regular paycheck.

Sgt. Javier Acosta was also placed on administrative leave since Aug. 20 and was under internal investigation, which he believed was because he is the brother of Sgt. Hector Acosta, president of the sergeant’s union. Both brothers have also filed separate complaints against Corpus for retaliation and are represented by Stone.

Note to readers: This story has been changed to take out the phrase "without reason" in the first paragraph.