Lawyers for beleaguered San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, the center of a corruption and misconduct investigation, have filed a legal complaint to halt the upcoming March special election that seeks to oust her from office.
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The petition, filed on Jan. 10 at the San Mateo County Superior Court, aims to stop “Measure A” from appearing on the March 4 ballot. The measure, if approved, would amend the county charter to allow the Board of Supervisors to remove a sitting sheriff through 2028, coinciding with the end of Corpus’ term.
While supervisors in other Bay Area counties have had tensions with their sheriffs, none have sought the power to remove one. In 2022, Los Angeles County voters approved a measure granting its Board of Supervisors the authority to remove a sheriff for misconduct or neglect of duty.
Corpus’ petition contends that the election is unlawful, arguing it was improperly scheduled for a date other than a statewide general election, which petitioners argue is required for charter amendments, and warns of “significant voter harm” if the measure proceeds.
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“The voters will be harmed if Measure A appears on the March 4, 2025, ballot and is later found procedurally defective and substantively invalid,” the petition stated. “The Court should order Respondents San Mateo County and Board of Supervisors to cancel the election on Measure A.”
Corpus, represented by lawyers Thomas Mazzucco and Christopher Ulrich, also argued that two county supervisors, Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller, were biased against her when they voted to put Measure A on the ballot and should have recused themselves from the vote.
In addition to questioning the legality of the election, Corpus asserts that proceeding with the ballot measure would waste public resources.
According to county election officials, the special election would cost at least $3.8 million.
“Such an election is a waste of time, money, and trust,” the petition read.
San Mateo County Counsel John Nibbelin confirmed receiving the complaint and said that he was confident the election would proceed as planned.
“My office has received and reviewed this writ petition that has been filed seeking to deprive county residents of the opportunity to vote on the pending charter amendment measure,” Nibbelin said. “The petition lacks merit, both as to law, which it misapplies, and to the facts, which it misconstrues. We expect that the court will deny relief in this matter and that the election will proceed.”
Multiple requests for comment from Corpus and her lawyers have so far gone unanswered.
The complaint is the latest development in a protracted political drama centered on Corpus. It began last year when sheriff’s deputies and union members accused her of misconduct, corruption, and workplace harassment.
Those complaints prompted the county to conduct an independent audit led by independent auditor LaDoris Cordell, a retired judge.
Last November, the county released the explosive 400-page report that found Corpus had an inappropriate relationship with her former chief of staff, retaliated against officers and employees, and used racist and homophobic slurs in the workplace, among other serious allegations against her and department leadership. The report also referenced the possession of rifles with silencers and questionable real estate dealings.
Corpus recently filed a $10-million claim against the county over the release of the report, alleging harassment, discrimination, and defamation. The county categorically denied those allegations.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, deputy sheriff unions, department captains, local leaders, and the city of San Carlos have all issued votes of no confidence in Corpus’ leadership.
Meanwhile, the sheriff is also under investigation for alleged campaign finance violations.
Despite mounting pressure, Corpus has refused to step down or concede to recall efforts.
“I am not going anywhere. You elected me to be your sheriff, and I intend to continue the hard work of reforming this office and keeping our community safe,” Corpus said in a previous statement to this news organization.
