San Mateo County Sheriff receives civil grand jury accusation of misconduct

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The San Mateo County District Attorney says Sheriff Christina Corpus was served papers Monday morning, after a civil grand jury issued a rare accusation of misconduct and retaliation. 

The civil grand jury decided Friday to proceed with four of the seven counts, after a months-long investigation that included testimony from 32 people, including Corpus. The civil grand jury investigation was requested by the San Mateo Board of Supervisors, who asked the grand jury to look into Corpus in November 2024. 

Civil grand jury proceedings are different from a criminal grand jury, so Corpus is not facing any criminal charges. 

"We don't have to prove a crime was committed. We just have to prove there was misconduct," Steve Wagstaffe, the San Mateo County District Attorney said.

Corpus's response

Sheriff Corpus's attorney, Thomas Mazzucco, called the complaints "politically motivated" and said the Sheriff plans to fight them "through the appropriate legal and administrative channels." 

"These grievances—centered on personnel assignments, executive staff appointments, and internal union matters—are not unusual in large law enforcement agencies undergoing modernization and meaningful reform. Sheriff Corpus stands by the integrity of her decisions," Mazzucco said. 

Corpus has repeatedly claimed she is innocent, and her critics are trying to target her because she is the first Latina in the county to be sheriff.  

If she loses in court, she would not only be removed from her job as sheriff, but also would not be able to hold any elected office in the state of California. 

Civil grand jury accusations

The civil grand jury accusation includes one count of conflict of interest, related to Corpus hiring the former executive director of administration, Victor Aenlle, a man with whom she was romantically involved. 

Also included are three counts of retaliation, involving the termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan; the transfer of Captain Brian Philip; and the arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia, the president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Wagstaffe noted the civil grand jury rejected some counts of retaliation. 

"There were three allegations of retaliation that the jury decided did not warrant going forward to a trial," Wagstaffe said. 

A court date has been set for July 15 at 9 a.m. for Corpus to appear and announce whether she intends to pursue a jury trial. 

"She has the right to a trial and at this trial, we the people would have to prove our case beyond reasonable doubt and a jury has to agree unanimously," Wagstaffe said. 

Six cities in San Mateo County have called for her resignation. The county is suing Corpus, and she is suing the county back.

"Throughout the state of California, it is very rare that this process is ever used. In our country, for instance, the last time it was used was 1981," Wagstaffe said. 

Deputy Sheriff's Association response

The Deputy Sheriff's Association spokesperson, Eliot Storch, said members were glad to hear the civil grand jury's decision, and called for Corpus to resign.

 "Sheriff Corpus has created such a culture of fear and retaliation," Storch said. "We don't know who the grand jurors are. We don't know anything about them, but it shows that our concerns are valid."

Wagstaffe says if Sheriff Corpus decides to pursue a trial, she would remain in office until it is concluded, which could take months. 

Corpus background

Corpus continues to be sheriff, despite the board of supervisors voting unanimously last week to oust her from office. 

"I didn't do anything wrong," Corpus told a bank of reporters after the vote on June 24. 

The grand jury's allegations include one count of conflict of interest in violation of San Mateo County Charter Article 5, section 510, and three counts of retaliation in violation of San Mateo County Ordinance Code section 2.14.090. 

A total of 32 witnesses, including Corpus, testified under oath to the grand jury. The hearing was conducted by the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, which acted as advisor to the civil grand jury.

Corpus made history in 2022 when she became the first woman and the first Latina elected as sheriff of San Mateo County, defeating long-time incumbent Carlos Bolanos. Her tenure began with a pledge to reform the department, increase transparency, and rebuild public trust.

However, her leadership has faced growing scrutiny in recent months amid allegations of workplace misconduct, retaliation, and interference in internal investigations. Public calls for accountability intensified earlier this year when multiple anonymous complaints reportedly emerged from within the Sheriff's Office.

Corpus is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 in the courtroom of San Mateo County Superior Court Presiding Judge Stephanie Garratt, to answer the accusation. 

Another Bay Area sheriff was also accused by a civil grand jury.

In November 2022, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith was convicted of six civil counts of corruption and willful misconduct – the same accusations that Corpus is now facing.

She had been accused of running a scheme in which only campaign donors received gun permits from the sheriff’s office and failing to cooperate with an outside investigator who was looking into problems at the county jail, among other allegations. 

After her conviction, Smith decided to retire instead of being removed. 

San Mateo CountyNews