(KRON) — San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus was accused by a civil grand jury of committing misconduct with Victor Aenlle, the sheriff’s alleged boyfriend and her former chief of staff, prosecutors announced Monday.
The grand jury also accused the sheriff of carrying out retaliation against members of the sheriff’s office through firings, transfers, and an arrest.
On Friday, the grand jury made two allegations against Corpus: one count of conflict of interest, and three counts of retaliation.
The conflict of interest allegation stems from the sheriff’s decision to hire Aenlle, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Members of the sheriff’s office told investigators that Corpus and Aenlle had a secret romantic relationship, acted like a “cult of two,” and created a toxic working environment.
Court documents state that between January 2023 and November 2024, Corpus used her position to hire and seek pay raises for Aenlle “with whom she had a close personal relationship that she failed to disclose.”
The three counts of retaliation stem from the sheriff’s termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan; transfer of Captain Brian Philip; and arrest of Deputy Carlos Tapia.
Tapia serves as president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and is an outspoken critic of Corpus. The DSA union said Tapia’s arrest was “a clear attempt at silencing an opponent,” adding, “Sheriff Corpus has created a culture of fear and retaliation. The only way to end this culture is for Sheriff Corpus to resign or be removed from office.”
Grand jurors made their accusations after listening to 32 witnesses who testified for a month-long hearing. The hearing was conducted by the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office.
Monaghan was fired in September 2024 because he participated in the county’s investigation against Aenlle, according to court documents filed on Monday. Corpus referred to the county’s investigation as a “witch hunt,” according to the county’s report. The sheriff allegedly told Monaghan that she no longer trusted him because he wasn’t “loyal,” the county’s report states.
Corpus is scheduled to appear in court on July 15 with Judge Stephanie Garratt presiding. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe is assigned as the case’s lead attorney, court records show.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to proceed with forcing Corpus out of office. The sheriff declared that she will not step down voluntarily due to “politics.”
After the vote, Corpus sent a prepared statement to KRON4, writing, “Let me be clear: I am not going anywhere. I was elected by the people of San Mateo County, and I will continue to serve them with the integrity, courage, and commitment that this office demands. I will fight this unjust persecution to the very end — because the truth matters, and so does the will of the voters.”
