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Independent Judge Recommends Removal of San Mateo County Sheriff
7 Oct
Summary
- Independent judge finds multiple grounds to remove San Mateo County Sheriff
- Allegations include conflicts of interest and retaliation against deputies
- Sheriff denies all allegations, claims judge used "extremely low standards"
On October 8th, 2025, an independent retired judge released an advisory opinion recommending the removal of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus from her post. The two-week hearing, presided over by retired Superior Court Judge James Emerson, concluded that Corpus violated laws related to her official duties.
Specifically, the judge found that Corpus allegedly used her position to benefit her former chief-of-staff Victor Aenlle, with whom she has a close personal relationship. The opinion stated that Corpus "elevated her own interest in the close personal relationship she held with Mr. Aenlle above her obligation to appoint, recruit, select, and/or retain based upon merit."
Additionally, the judge determined that Corpus directed the arrest of the deputy sheriffs' union president, Carlos Tapia, without probable cause and retaliated against a captain who refused to take part in a personnel action that he believed violated state law.
Corpus has denied all the allegations against her, and her attorneys claim the judge applied "extremely low standards" to reach his conclusion. The judge's report now goes to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, who will hold a final vote on whether to remove Corpus from her position.
