Board Accuses Sheriff Of Lies, Abuse, And Using Homophobic Slur

REDWOOD CITY, CA — An ongoing battle between the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Christina Corpus took another turn Thursday as supervisors released what they called "definitive forensic proof" the sheriff used a homophobic slur in a text message.

In recent weeks, Corpus has been the subject of a flurry of accusations, including allegations that she retaliated against staff, used racist and homophobic language, and gave too much power to her civilian chief of staff and alleged romantic partner, Victor Aenlle.

Earlier this month, an independent investigator hired by the county released a 400-page report sustaining several allegations, including that Corpus and Aenlle had an intimate personal relationship and that Aenlle's authority exceeded what was permitted for civilian personnel.

"Lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest, and abuses of authority are the hallmarks of the Corpus administration," the report reads in part. "Corpus should step down and Victor Aenlle's employment with the sheriff's office should be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization that is in turmoil, and its personnel demoralized."

A delegation of congressional and legislative leaders signed a joint statement calling for Corpus to resign, and the Board of Supervisors is pursuing a charter amendment that would ask voters to grant them temporary power to remove the sheriff early next year.

During a meeting Thursday, Supervisor Ray Mueller shared a consultant's determination that a message derogatorily referring to a lesbian came from Corpus's phone, which the sheriff has previously denied writing.

A former captain also filed a claim alleging he resigned after being asked to arrest the president of the Deputy Sheriff's Association, Carlos Tapia, over alleged time card fraud. Tapia previously spoke out about issues within the sheriff's office, and the union contends the move had "All the earmarks of whistleblower retaliation."

Corpus's undersheriff, Dan Perea, has also been accused of intimidating employees and retaliating against staff on the sheriff's behalf.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, after supervisors passed a vote of no confidence in Corpus last week and eliminated Aenlle's administrative position, the sheriff promoted him to a senior law enforcement post.

Corpus has steadfastly denied wrongdoing and rebuffed growing calls to resign. In a statement published Tuesday, she called the board's proposed charter amendment "wrongheaded," "anti-democratic," and part of a "mean-spirited political scheme."

Promising to "fight it tooth and nail," the sheriff characterized the maneuver as an attempt to circumvent voters.

"The supervisors do not control the sheriff's office," Corpus said, "They don't like that one bit and they never have. This is a shameful attempt at a takeover of this office so they can pick and choose who will serve as sheriff now and into the future based on their own personal and political whims. If you want a sheriff out, you hold a recall."

A second reading of the charter amendment is scheduled for early next month. If approved, voters will have the final say during a March 4 special election.

Bay City News contributed to this report.