REDWOOD CITY – Tensions are escalating between San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus and the Board of Supervisors, with the former calling for an investigation into County Executive Mike Callagy and the latter standing behind him.
In a complaint to the board Sunday, Corpus accused Callagy of undermining her authority and compromising the effectiveness of her office.
“This investigation should cover his (Callagy’s) attempts to conspire against an elected sheriff, discrimination, sexual harassment, abuse of power and persistent interference with the operations of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office,” Corpus said in the letter. “Should the board fail to act, I will have no choice but to escalate this matter to the state level.”
The board is reviewing Corpus’ complaint and “will take the necessary time to determine the appropriate course of action,” Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller said Monday in a statement on behalf of the board. Callagy “rejects the sheriff’s claims as false and defamatory” and “welcomes a full, transparent and independent investigation into any allegations made against him,” according to the supervisors.
“County Executive Callagy has been an ethical public servant in San Mateo County for over 41 years,” they said. “Unless proven otherwise, the board will remain united in its full faith and trust in his leadership.”
Corpus paints a much different picture of Callagy in her complaint. During their first meeting following her election, he told her she had to disclose who she dated within the county and when, Corpus said. She called the request “inappropriate and offensive.”
“As a woman of color who has endured sexual harassment in this very county, I was shocked and appalled by his inappropriate conduct,” the sheriff said. “I cannot imagine he would have made such a request of my predecessors, all of whom were men.”
Corpus also accused Callagy of overstepping his authority and inserting himself into the operations of the sheriff’s office. She said “one glaring example” was his decision to approve double overtime “without having me at the table.” The move cost the county and taxpayers $17 million and had other consequences, according to Corpus.
“This act of interference not only bypassed my authority but set a dangerous precedent,” Corpus said. “Mr. Callagy’s actions have destabilized labor relations, undermining my ability to lead effectively and jeopardizing safety in our correctional facilities. With Mr. Callagy’s support, the unions have developed a misconception that their negotiations extend beyond labor issues and into personnel matters.”
Corpus appeared to be referring to a recent vote of no confidence against her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. The unions that represent deputies and sergeants claim Aenlle has berated and demeaned their members and overstepped his civilian role by making decisions about their duties. Corpus dismissed the vote as political stunt by special interests to undermine her leadership and bully her into making personnel changes.
The intense war of words comes amidst a Board of Supervisors-commissioned independent investigation into “multiple personnel allegations” related to the sheriff’s office. Former Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge LaDoris is heading the probe.
That investigation took a surprising turn last week when Mueller revealed Corpus had fired Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, her third in command, after Cordell interviewed him. The timing “suggests possible retaliation” against Monaghan for participating in the probe,” Mueller said Friday in a statement on behalf of the board.
Cordell has been asked to investigate whether Corpus retaliated against Monaghan.
In her complaint, Corpus said Monaghan was not fired for sitting down for an interview with Cordell, but for his “performance duplicity and failure to execute the goals of the sheriff’s office expeditiously.”
“This decision had nothing to do with retaliation,” Corpus said, noting that it was her choice alone as the elected sheriff to terminate an at-will and unclassified employee.
The sheriff suggested the county executive — through the board — is using his position to intervene in Monaghan’s termination, noting that the two have a “long personal relationship.”
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“Mr. Callagy’s interference in internal personnel matters is not only inappropriate but without legal standing and attempts to undermine the democratic process, setting a dangerous precedent that could lead to further destabilization of county governance,” she said.
Corpus questioned whether Callagy would have treated her male predecessors the same way.
“His actions exemplify the very challenges that women — particularly women of color — continue to face in leadership positions, especially in male-dominated environments like law enforcement,” she said.
Corpus said she was disappointed but not surprised by the board’s response to her complaint.
“It’s what I’ve experienced for years in this county,” the sheriff wrote in a response Monday afternoon. “Their response doesn’t address the serious concerns I raised related to Mr. Callagy’s inappropriate conduct. It sends a clear message: when you raise a complaint in San Mateo County as a woman, you will be dismissed.”
Check back for updates.