Sheriff’s future in the hands of county’s voters

Ballots for the March 4 election have been sent to residents who will decide whether the Board of Supervisors should be granted the extended authority to remove an elected sheriff from office for just cause — including flagrant neglect of duties, misappropriation of public funds, obstructing an investigation — through a four-fifths vote of the board. 

The Board of Supervisors retained retired Judge LaDoris Cordell in July 2024 following an “unprecedented” amount of complaints regarding Corpus and her then-Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle, including allegations the two were in a personal relationship, which the Cordell report unequivocally confirmed but Corpus and Aenlle continue to deny. 

When rumors began swirling around the Sheriff’s Office over the pair’s affair around October 2022 — ignited by sights of the two traveling to Hawaii together and alleged public displays of affection — Corpus and Aenlle expected leaders in the office to come to their defense. 

In a complaint filed with the county Feb. 21 by Carlos Tapia — the Deputy Sheriff’s Association president and key whistleblower of the Corpus administration — he details an instance when Corpus and Aenlle both individually contacted Tapia asking him to dispel the rumors through his capacity as union president. 

“Sheriff Corpus felt that Mr. Tapia should have done more to intervene and stop the conversation … and Corpus wanted Tapia to exercise his power in that way — stopping members from speaking about the Sheriff,” the complaint reads. 

After investigating concerns of abuse of power, retaliation and conflicts of interest, Cordell ultimately concluded in her report published Nov. 12, that “nothing short of new leadership can save this organization that is in turmoil, and its personnel demoralized.” 

“Lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest, and abuses of authority are the hallmarks of the Corpus administration,” Cordell wrote in the report. 

While the weight of the county’s effort to remove Corpus is predicated on the investigative report conducted over four months by Cordell, the case that continues to build against Corpus exceeds the 400 pages of detailed findings. 

Aenlle

Concerns over Aenlle — formerly Corpus’ chief of staff and self-proclaimed right-hand man — were documented early on in a letter Aug. 30, to union members from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants. This letter detailed how the unions filed an official complaint over union busting to the Public Employment Relations Board, and further specified much of the concerns in administration were at the hands of Aenlle. 

On Sept. 12, a vote of no confidence was held following reports of Aenlle overstepping his role in his civilian position and “numerous HR complaints.” The vote resulted in more than 96% approval from 318 deputies and sergeants. 

Although the vote was symbolic, it was a telling glimpse into the alleged corruption, abuse of power and ego by which Aenlle would come to be defined. 

Corpus’ effort to place Aenlle, a Realtor and reserve deputy, in a high rank position was not only extraneous but his qualifications have long remained in question. Aenlle’s former position, titled executive director of administration, had previously never existed in the county’s Sheriff's Office. 

Following the release of Cordell’s report, supervisors quickly zeroed out the budget for Aenlle’s former paid position, removing him from being employed with the Sheriff’s Office as of Nov. 13. 

However, as recently as Feb. 12, Aenlle believes his status as a reserve deputy remains intact. 

“I can be anywhere if I’m acting in the capacity of a reserve,” Aenlle said previously. “When I’m not acting in that capacity — which is not possible because I’m a Designated Level 1 with 24 hour authority, which means I have peace officer powers 24/7.” 

Although Aenlle’s status as a reserve deputy was questioned by Cordell, and a reserve who fails to meet minimum standards of duty “may be subject to discipline” according to policy, designations are ultimately considered at the discretion of the sheriff.  

Personnel, hires and terminations

Corpus inherited a Sheriff’s Office that was suffering from high vacancy rates, and has spent much of her tenure focused on issues of staffing shortages, overtime standards and recruitment efforts. 

In her first year in office, vacancies increased slightly, before dropping dramatically in 2024. In November 2024, Corpus said there were just over 40 vacancies of sworn positions after a high of over 90.

Yet when Corpus was sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2023, until Feb. 20, 2025, 194 total individuals were hired and 170 left, according to data received from the Sheriff’s Office through a Public Records Act request. Those who left include terminations, retirements, and resignations. 

During that time period, more deputies have left than were hired — despite there being an influx of 67 trainee hires. Forty-nine deputies left the Sheriff’s Office and 29 were hired during this time period. Notably, higher rank positions such as lieutenants and sergeants saw more people leave than hired. 

In early October, the sheriff proclaimed that between Jan. 1, 2023, and Oct. 7 2024, the office had hired 160 sworn and professional staff. According to data given to the Daily Journal, in this time period, 146 total hires were made, but there were also 143 individuals who left the office. 

Deputies and sergeants have stated that not only is the rate at which personnel is hired concerning, but so is the quality of those considered. 

After the alleged sexual assault of an incarcerated woman Dec. 2, 2024, while being transported alongside four other incarcerated individuals by a deputy, the abilities of the deputies touted as answers to vacancy concerns have fallen into question. 

A Dec. 13 dated email from San Mateo County Superior Court judges Stephanie Garratt and Elizabeth Lee to Corpus show the judge’s stating they have seen “frequent lapses in security protocol” by deputies who are assigned to the courts in the last year. 

The concern was raised by the judges in December, three months after the Sheriff’s Office implemented a “Transportation Assistance Schedule” requiring each of the bureaus to allocate personnel to the Transportation and Court Security Bureau which provides security to county courts and secure transportation of incarcerated people to and from court appointments, medical appointments and other correctional facilities. 

While Corpus claims fruitful hiring efforts, the unions felt this reorganization reflected a larger concern over staffing shortages and felt “inadequate incentives are making it difficult to retain or replace” deputies, a statement read. 

“Union attempts to raise the alarm about a county Sheriff’s Office spread so dangerously thin have so far fallen on deaf ears,” the unions’ statement read.

Morale

In a campaign seeking voter support to pass Measure A, members of the DSA and OSS detailed the constant fear that personnel in the Sheriff’s Office are under — making the workplace toxic and counter to quality work being done. 

“We are at risk of retaliation, abuse and even false arrest every single day that she remains in power,” said Detective Eliot Storch, secretary of the DSA, at a press conference Feb. 5. 

The morning Cordell’s investigative report was to be released, Tapia was arrested without warrant for felony charges of time card fraud. In the complaint filed with the county Feb. 21, Tapia details that he was placed on administrative leave which originally required him to remain inside of his home from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of an hour lunch break, the complaint reads. 

“Effectively, Mr. Tapia was on monitored house arrest 40 hours a week, which has contributed to his distress,” the complaint reads. 

Tapia remains on administrative leave — despite his arrest deemed wrongful and unnecessary by District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe on Dec. 16 — and is under a separate internal investigation initiated by Corpus.  

“While the criminal investigation has concluded, a separate internal review will take place, which is standard protocol when the arrest involves an employee,” Corpus wrote in a statement Dec. 16. 

Tapia has been on administrative leave for at least five pay periods, and there has been “no indication of when or if Mr. Tapia can expect to resume his normal duties,” the complaint reads. 

The threat of retaliation against those who voiced any opposition of dissatisfaction with the Corpus administration has made for a workplace racked with anxiety and distrust in its leadership. After confiding in Corpus that he participated in Cordell’s investigation, former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan was quickly fired. 

As of Feb. 28, Corpus and Undersheriff Dan Perea remain the only individuals in the Sheriff’s Office executive team. Aenlle, and his former position, remain on the administration’s website page, though. 

Corpus was elected to her role in November 2022, beating incumbent Carlos Bolanos with 57% of the vote. Much of Corpus’ campaign positioned her as the new, transparent response to a Sheriff’s Office riddled with scandalous headlines and secrets. 

Public outcry following the release of the Cordell investigative report suggests that sentiment has majorly, if not entirely, shifted. 

Nearly all sworn personnel within the Sheriff’s Office have called for her resignation, as have many city councils and local legislators. Supervisors David Canepa, Noelia Corzo, Ray Mueller and Lisa Gauthier have all endorsed Measure A. 

Initial results of the election from mailed in ballots will first be reported at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. Voting center results will first be reported at 9 p.m. and every following hour until complete. 

As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 79,039 ballots have been cast, or 17.78% of registered voters.