Bay Area Judge Stops Attempt By Sheriff’s Legal Team To Halt Removal

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A U.S. District Court Judge rejected the latest attempt by the San Mateo County Sheriff to block the removal appeal hearing, the courts announced Wednesday.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is facing a removal appeal hearing on Monday. Her legal team has once again tried to stop this hearing but U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria issued a statement after denying the motion Wednesday.

“The motion for a preliminary injunction is denied. As discussed at the hearing, the Court is skeptical that Corpus will ever be able to prevail on her claims that the removal process violates her federal constitutional rights. But even if there were serious questions going to the merits of her claims, the Court would decline to take the extraordinary step of interfering with an ongoing local government process, particularly given that Corpus could (if she were somehow able to prevail) get most of the relief she seeks in this lawsuit after the fact,” Chhabria said.

This clears the way for the removal hearing starting at 9 a.m. on Monday at the Hall of Justice at 400 County Center in Redwood City.

“The County of San Mateo reaffirms its full commitment to upholding the integrity of this process, which was established to promote transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in local governance. We are confident in the fairness and structure of the Measure A framework; it reflects the will of the voters and ensures that all proceedings are conducted with the utmost integrity,” said County spokeswoman Effie Milionis Verducci. “The County looks forward to the presentation of evidence at the upcoming hearing and to receiving the hearing officer’s recommendation, which will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.”

Following a recommendation, supervisors voted 5-0 at a public meeting on June 24 to remove Corpus from office. This decision aligns with Measure A, a County Charter amendment approved by 84 percent of voters in March 2025, which authorized the Board to develop and implement this process.

Numerous complaints about Corpus' conduct led to the Board's action, officials said. Investigations claimed she misused her authority, created an unqualified high-level position for a close associate and cultivated a retaliatory workplace culture.
Corpus has denied any wrongdoing.

Her appeal of the Board's June 24 decision triggered a formal hearing.

A sheriff can be removed for violating laws related to their duties, repeated neglect, misuse of public funds, falsifying official documents, or obstructing investigations into their office.