Bay Area county scandalized by married female police boss's 'inappropriate relationship' with powerful male aide
By Alexa Cimino
Daily Mail
Aug 20, 2025
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, elected in 2022 as the county’s first female and Latina sheriff, is now fighting to keep her job amid allegations of favoritism and retaliation
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is fighting to keep her job as a removal hearing probes allegations of her favoritism, retaliation and abuse of authority.
If the Board of Supervisors votes to remove her, she would become the first elected sheriff in California history to be ousted in this way.
The proceedings are being overseen by retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Emerson and follow the board's unanimous vote in June under a 2025 charter amendment that allows elected officials to be removed through 2028, SFGATE reported.
Corpus, elected in 2022 as the county's first female and Latina sheriff, has denied the allegations and remains in office while her appeal is pending.
The case centers on claims that Corpus gave her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, a lucrative job he wasn't qualified for, retaliated against critics, and ordered the arrest of a union president on the same day a scathing report about her leadership was released.
That 400-page investigation, obtained by The Mercury News, concluded: 'Lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest and abuses of authority are the hallmarks of the Corpus administration.'
According to the outlet, text messages presented in court showed Corpus describing her marriage as 'stressful.'
In one exchange, former colleague Valerie Barnes told her, 'You deserve to be spoiled and doted on' and asked for a 'pic of your sparklies.'
Victor Aenlle, Corpus’ former chief of staff, was given a six-figure job critics say he wasn’t qualified for
The outlet also reported that Corpus denied claims $8,000 earrings mentioned in the report came from Aenlle, testifying that she purchased them herself because her husband would not.
She was also pressed about her use of a derogatory term for a lesbian councilmember. Corpus said she misunderstood the word, telling the court: 'It was not in Merriam-Webster and I don't read Urban Dictionary.'
Other testimony has focused on her relationship with Aenlle.
Former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung said he noticed 'unusual behavior' between them, including food sharing and coordinated logins on an encrypted messaging app, according to the Palo Alto Daily Post.
Corpus denied a romantic relationship but said Aenlle helped her care for her son with special needs.
Former Assistant Sheriff Jeff Kernan testified he confronted her about rumors of a Hawaii trip with Aenlle, warning it could hurt her reputation.
A separate 59-page report by law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters - covered by SFGATE - went further, alleging Corpus and Aenlle were seen kissing and that he gave her luxury boots and money for $12,000 earrings.
The report also accused her of neglecting her duties, obstructing investigations and showing favoritism toward Aenlle, who had never completed deputy training.
The county also highlighted the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, president of the Deputy Sheriffs' Association, for alleged time card fraud on the day Cordell's report was released.
Corpus leaves the courthouse flanked by attorneys after testifying on the second day of her removal hearing on August 19
Corpus, who has denied all wrongdoing, says she is the target of entrenched rivals after cutting back wasteful overtime and challenging corruption
He was later cleared of wrongdoing. Corpus defended the move, saying she relied on an internal investigation and cleared it with the district attorney before proceeding, The Mercury News reported.
Her defense team, led by former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez and Christopher Ulrich, argues she is being unfairly targeted by an old guard intent on blocking reform.
They point to her decision to end wasteful overtime practices that cost millions and her push to clean up corruption under previous leadership.
The appeal hearing is expected to last up to 10 days, SFGATE reported. Judge Emerson will then issue a recommendation within 45 days, with the Board of Supervisors making the final decision.
The Daily Mail has reached out to each party's legal representatives for comment.
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