Sheriff’s former chief of staff sues San Mateo County

“This case is about standing up for the fundamental rights of every American — free speech, due process, and equal protection under the law,” Aenlle said in a press release. “If they can do this to me, they can do it to anyone.” 

Aenlle has remained a central figure in the scandal surrounding the Sheriff’s Office, and was the initial focus of strife identified by personnel who raised concerns last year to county leaders. He worked with Corpus during her campaign and was hired on contract to serve on her transition team. 

Once Corpus took office, she promoted Aenlle to a new civilian position on her executive team, until this position was abolished by the county by zeroing out its budget in November 2024. 

The lawsuit alleges the defendants violated Aenlle’s civil rights and “warns of broader threats to civil liberties if unchecked government retaliation is allowed to continue,” according to a press release. 

Defendants include the County of San Mateo, the Board of Supervisors, County Executive Mike Callagy, and Steve Monowitz, the director of the county’s Planning and Building Department. 

Aenlle is described in the suit as a longtime county resident “who built his reputation through a willingness to speak out and support candidates that would make tough decisions for the community he lives within and serves.” 

“Dr. Aenlle consistently challenged county practices that placed power and police above taxpayers,” the suit reads. 

The county harbors a “culture of nepotism and corruption” that sought to wage a “coordinated retaliation campaign” against Aenlle, the suit alleges. One way the county did this was through its Farmworker Housing Task Force, it said.

The county’s Farmworker Housing Task Force was created in 2023 to survey all housing on agricultural land and issue correction notices at any site that may not be aligned with codes or where the living situation is considered inhabitable. In October 2024, it was published that one of those properties that was tagged out of compliance was owned by Aenlle. 

The lawsuit alleges this task force was used as a guise by Monowitz — who reports to Callagy — to access Aenlle’s property to “support their narrative of Dr. Aenlle’s ‘lawlessness’ and disregard for his public office.” 

Aenlle alleged that “Callagy, through his deputies and employees, released information to the media” to present Aenlle as a “slumlord.”

Violations of codes identified by the task force were notified to property owners through multiple notices and warnings. Citations were issued if improvements were not made in an appropriate timeline. The Daily Journal reported Aenlle was issued a $100 citation in February 2025 for still refusing to address the concerns. 

During this time, an investigation into Aenlle conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell was underway. On Nov. 12, 2024, Cordell’s investigation was published in an over-400-page report that detailed her findings regarding numerous allegations against Aenlle’s conduct. 

“The report’s conclusions were obviously false,” Aenlle’s lawsuit alleges. 

The report was used to justify firing Aenlle, the lawsuit alleges. On Nov. 13, the Board of Supervisors approved Callagy to zero out the budget allocated for Aenlle’s position, in effect firing him from the position. 

A county spokesperson did not respond to request for comment. 

“Dr. Aenlle was not intimidated by Sheriff Corpus’ political enemies and refused to resign, allay his allegiance, or remain silent. This unfortunately invited more fury against Dr. Aenlle,” the lawsuit said. 

The lawsuit seeks a trial by jury on the 11 allegations made. An initial claim was filed in May that sought $15 million in damages. 

Aenlle is represented by attorneys Jason Fellner, Andrew Browning and Lindsay Hoops of the Fellner Law Group.