All five San Mateo County (California) Sheriff’s Office captains have formally asked for the resignation of embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus, according to an internal department email obtained by the Bay Area News Group.
The captains join a growing chorus of sworn officers and officials across all levels of government to call for Corpus to step down amid allegations she and her top brass abused their power and engaged in other wrongdoing.
The internal email, addressed to Corpus, also calls for the resignation of Victor Aenlle, her former administrative chief of staff, whom she recently promoted to assistant sheriff, as well as Undersheriff Dan Perea.
The email, dated Monday, Nov. 18, does not explain the vote of no confidence by the captains. However, it was sent the same day state and congressional lawmakers demanded Corpus step down over an explosive audit alleging widespread misconduct by her and department leadership.
The 400-plus-page report found Corpus, the county’s first Latina sheriff, repeatedly retaliated against officers and employees, used racist and homophobic slurs, and had an inappropriate personal relationship with Aenlle.
Corpus has vehemently denied the accusations, describing the report and calls for her resignation as part of a politically motivated “coup” orchestrated by those threatened by her efforts to reform the department.
