After a special election Tuesday, San Mateo County officials were confident that voters had granted them the authority to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office, amid numerous allegations of misconduct and corruption.
Supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo addressed the public after early results showed strong support for Measure A, which would amend the San Mateo County Charter to allow the board until the end of 2028 to remove Corpus with a four-fifths vote.
“The voters have passed Measure A by an overwhelming majority. We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the democratic process, regardless of how they voted,” said Mueller, who, along with Corzo, previously led calls for Corpus to resign. “(Voters sent) a clear message that they continue to make educated decisions and trust the Board of Supervisors to uphold accountability and justice.”
This marked the board’s first public statement regarding Corpus since the special election was approved last December.
As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, more than 85% — at least 78,319 voters — had voted “yes” on Measure A. The evening’s final report showed 92,003 ballots counted, representing about 20% of the county’s registered voters, according to the San Mateo County elections office. Still to be counted were mail-in and drop-off ballots received after Monday.
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While supervisors were confident the measure’s lead would hold, they must wait until the votes are certified — by April 3 — before formally approving the election results and amending the charter.
The amendment would take effect 10 days after approval.
“Soon after, county staff will seek direction from the Board of Supervisors in a public meeting regarding procedures for conducting a removal hearing,” Corzo said. “Before any hearing, the sheriff will be served with a written statement of the grounds for removal.”
In a statement to the Bay Area News Group, Corpus acknowledged Measure A’s apparent passage through her attorney Thomas Mazzucco.
“It appears Measure A has passed,” Corpus said. “Unfortunately, the vote took place in an off-cycle election where barely 20% of registered voters participated.”
She said she would seek a “collaborative strategy” moving forward.
“With the passage of Measure A, I now have the opportunity to appropriately challenge and disprove the allegations against me and my administration,” Corpus said. “I am now entitled to a public evidentiary hearing before a neutral and unbiased body. My legal team and I look forward to this opportunity, and are confident that I will be vindicated through a legitimate process.”
When asked what she meant by “neutral and unbiased body,” Corpus did not clarify whether she was referring to a forum other than the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, which plans to hold a removal hearing in April.
Despite acknowledging the measure’s strong support, Corpus reiterated that she would not step down.
“As for me, I will not resign and will continue to do my job as sheriff to keep the residents of San Mateo County safe,” she said. “My record in public service has been pristine, not only in enforcing the law but also in respecting it. I am committed to honoring the residents of San Mateo County and will continue working to make this county one of the safest in California.”
Corpus has faced months of controversy, including accusations of corruption, misconduct, retaliation, and an inappropriate relationship with her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. She has dismissed an investigation into her conduct as biased and politically motivated.
In addition to accusations regarding her workplace conduct, state regulators are investigating claims that Corpus accepted campaign donations exceeding legal limits. Meanwhile, Bay Area News Group confirmed that the FBI has been looking into her leadership.
Following the controversies, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, seven cities across the county, two sheriffs unions, and state and federal congressional leaders have all called for Corpus to resign.
If supervisors vote to remove Corpus, Undersheriff Dan Perea would assume the role temporarily. However, according to the San Mateo County Attorney’s Office, he can only serve as interim sheriff until the board either appoints a replacement or calls for an election.
Whether the next sheriff will be appointed or elected remains unclear, as supervisors did not take questions during their public statement on Wednesday.
Last week, a judge rejected Corpus’ attempt to stop the special election. However, she can still challenge the board’s decision during and after removal hearings.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, Eliot Storch, a spokesperson for the Deputy Sheriffs Association of San Mateo County — one of the two unions that brought allegations against Corpus last year, prompting an investigation by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell – welcomed the election results.
“We are extremely excited,” Storch said. “While results are not yet official, what we’ve seen so far is incredible and really shows we have the support of the community.”
