How The San Mateo Sheriff Could Be Removed By Supervisors

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors certified voters approval of Measure A at their meeting Tuesday, which gives the supervisors temporary power to remove an elected sheriff, who has faced numerous misconduct allegations, a press release said.

The supervisors met Tuesday to discuss the removal of Sheriff Christina Corpus, who has been accused of corruption, abuse of power, and fostering a toxic workplace, according to a KTVU report.

Corpus denies any wrongdoing.

Measure A passed on March 4 and amends the County Charter to allow the supervisors to remove the sheriff, but several steps must occur first.

The supervisors can start the removal process after April 18 with a four-fifths vote. The sheriff will get a chance to respond.

The sheriff can appeal and receive a full evidentiary hearing. If the appeal goes forward, each side can call witnesses and a hearing officer will have 30 days to issue an opinion. The supervisors will make a final decision, requiring another four-fifths vote.

"Measure A is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to remove Christina Corpus, the first Latina sheriff," said Brad Gage, Corpus’ attorney, in a KTVU report, "Once they accomplish that, Measure A is no longer going to be in effect. That's not fair. That's singling out one person."