Supes vote to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus; she retires hours afterward
San Mateo becomes 1st California county to remove sheriff
In a unanimous vote the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday removed Christina Corpus from the Sheriff's Office. The board cited four incidents where Corpus violated the law and her oath of office. The county has 30 days to announce a timeframe for a Special Election to fill the vacancy. The undersheriff will perform the duties of the sheriff on a temporary basis.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office, and hours after that unprecedented move, she announced her retirement.
Corpus was elected in 2022 as the county’s first Latina sheriff, and she is now the first sheriff in California to be removed by a county board of supervisors.
The 5-0 vote would have taken effect immediately, but KTVU confirmed the sheriff submitted her intent to retire from the department in order to keep her pension, which includes 90% of her pay.
She was not present when the final vote was cast. During her removal hearing though, she took to the podium, calling the move to oust her biased and rushed.
"When the political establishment can overturn an election because they dislike the results, democracy itself is at risk," she said at the supervisors' special hearing. "The people of this county deserve a sheriff's office that operates with honesty, professionalism, and accountability."
But that's not how the supervisors see it.
"When those entrusted with authority fall short of the standards we expect, it is our duty not our desire to respond with clarity and courage," Supervisor Lisa Gauthier said. "Removal is not a punishment; it is a reflection of our collective responsibility to ensure that leadership reflects the ethics and dignity our community deserves."
Next steps
What's next:
In the meantime, Undersheriff Dan Perea will serve as acting sheriff. The board has 30 days to either appoint a new sheriff or call for a special election.
The board appears to be leaning toward a special election that would likely take place in June.
Also, there could be criminal charges filed, on top of her removal, which addressed alleged procedural improprieties.
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said there were multiple alleged violations of law and that prosecutors will review all applicable statutes to determine whether to file criminal charges.
San Mateo County won't say how much sheriff battle is costing
Taxpayers are paying for a portion of the legal battle between San Mateo County and Sheriff Christina Corpus but the county is not releasing how much it's costing or what they're paying for, until the entire matter is resolved.
Removal Proceedings
What we know:
Tuesday’s vote capped a months-long process established under voter-approved Measure A, which allows the Board of Supervisors to remove an elected sheriff for cause.
Following extensive investigations that found Corpus committed multiple civil violations while in office, the board voted in June to begin formal removal proceedings under Measure A. Corpus appealed that decision, delaying the final vote.
The sheriff was accused of maintaining an inappropriate workplace relationship and fostering a culture of intimidation within the department.
Earlier this month, a retired judge concluded that there were multiple grounds for removal, including neglecting her duties by retaliating against employees and misusing public funds through a conflict of interest involving the hiring of her former chief of staff. Corpus has denied all allegations.
After the decision, the San Mateo County Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants released a statement supporting the board’s action.
"We view this as a just conclusion to the tenure of Christina Corpus. We extend our deepest gratitude to our members for their exceptional leadership and professionalism throughout this difficult and unfortunate chapter," the organization said.
Taxpayers are paying for a portion of the legal battle between San Mateo County and Sheriff Christina Corpus, but the county is not releasing how much it's costing or what they're paying for, until the entire matter is resolved.
It's not clear how long that will take, as Corpus is also suing the county in at least five separate cases, in addition to the costs accrued during her special removal proceedings.