By Bay City News. Peninsula 360 Press.
Five congressmen and state leaders from San Mateo County called on Monday for the resignation of Sheriff Christina Corpus, arguing that her continued tenure undermines public safety.
“The turmoil engulfing the sheriff’s office continues to harm the organization and its members, endanger public safety and expose local taxpayers to avoidable liability,” according to the statement, signed by U.S. Reps. Kevin Mullin and Anna Eshoo, state Sen. Josh Becker and Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Diane Papan.
A scathing report on the Sheriff's Office by independent investigator and former judge LaDoris Cordell, released last week, included findings of abuse of power, retaliation, intimidation, homophobia and racism in the Corpus office.
The report also investigated Corpus' chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, who is not a sworn officer, but Cordell said he worked in tandem with Corpus to wreak havoc on the Sheriff's Office.
The investigation found that Aenlle exercised authority that exceeded his duties and gradually worked his way up the chain of command, where he exercised broad and sometimes abusive authority over civilian and sworn personnel.
“This damning report, along with the firings and resignations of the entire leadership staff at the Sheriff’s Office, demonstrate that this is an agency in crisis,” according to Monday’s statement from congressional and state lawmakers. “Our county can no longer afford the chaos and failed leadership of Christina Corpus. Our communities deserve better.”
On Monday, Corpus reiterated that he had no intention of resigning.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised that more elected officials have decided to attack me and my office,” the sheriff said in a statement.
“I want to make it clear to the people of San Mateo County: I am not going anywhere. You elected me as your sheriff and I intend to continue the hard work of reforming this office and keeping this community safe.”
Monday's criticism from state and congressional leaders follows a vote last week by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors demanding Corpus' immediate resignation and the removal of his chief of staff.
Corpus has refused to resign, denying the allegations in the report, which he called “blatant lies.”
During last week's supervisors meeting, Corpus said he would not resign or tolerate the firing of his chief of staff and would instead promote him to deputy sheriff.
“What has happened over the last few days is disgusting,” Corpus said at the meeting. “I will not allow the board to threaten me and attempt to fire my chief of staff without cause. This investigation was politically motivated and one-sided. That is why, effective immediately, I am appointing Victor Aenlle to the position of deputy sheriff.”
After the sheriff announced at the meeting that she was promoting Aenlle, the board of supervisors ordered the county attorney to investigate the legality of the move. County Executive Mike Callagy also announced that Aenlle would be banned from county facilities reserved for sworn deputies and county employees.
You may be interested in: “A scandal that benefits no one”: San Mateo County Supervisors unanimously call on Sheriff to resign.
