Former aides, colleagues testify against Sheriff Corpus in removal hearing

"Fighting to keep her job, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus this week described how she had been plagued by misogyny and sexism amid a male-dominated law enforcement culture in her office even as efforts to remove her derailed her reforms. Corpus concluded her testimony under oath Wednesday, after a full day on the stand Tuesday, in a public hearing that could lead to her removal from office."

"The case against Corpus began nearly a year ago, when two sheriff's unions raised allegations of corruption, workplace misconduct, bullying and an inappropriate relationship between the county's first Latina sheriff and Aenlle, including claims she sought to approve a salary for him - between $192,000 and $246,000 - that he was unqualified to receive. Corpus and her legal team have denied the allegations."

"The county hearing follows Corpus' appeal of the Board of Supervisors' decision in June to remove her under the voter-approved Measure A, which gave the board authority last March to remove an elected sheriff by until 2028, the end of Corpus' term. Measure A made San Mateo the first Bay Area county to grant such authority. Corpus also faces a separate removal process through a civil grand jury accusation filed in June."

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus testified that misogyny and sexism within a male-dominated law enforcement culture hindered her reform efforts while she contests efforts to remove her. County lawyers allege she retaliated against critics and had an inappropriate relationship with former chief of staff Victor Aenlle, including seeking to approve an apparently unqualified salary for him. Two sheriff's unions raised allegations of corruption, workplace misconduct and bullying nearly a year ago. Corpus and her legal team have denied the allegations. The Board of Supervisors removed her under Measure A and she appealed; a civil grand jury accusation is also pending. Testimony explored payroll and overtime discrepancies tied to union president Carlos Tapia.

Read at The Mercury News