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In a statement released Friday evening, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors announced that Sheriff Christina Corpus has fired her third in command, Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, amidst investigations into her office by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Ray Mueller said his office learned about the firing late Friday afternoon and said that Monaghan had previously been interviewed by Judge LaDoris Cordell regarding the investigation into the multiple allegations made against the Sheriff’s Office.
Mueller said that the timing of Monaghan’s dismissal suggests that retaliation may have been a possible motive for his firing. Corpus responded in a press release later in the evening, saying that Mueller’s statement was “completely out of line.”
“Supervisor Mueller’s statement is pure speculation,” she said in a statement. “He should have the facts before weighing in on a subject as important as this. It appears he is just trying to get publicity, and that behavior is inappropriate, unprofessional and needs to stop. When the people of San Mateo County elected me as sheriff, they entrusted me to make decisions about who I include on my executive staff. The coach picks the team. Period.”
‘The coach picks the team. Period.’
San mateo county sheriff christina corpus
Corpus went on to say that her office will “continue the serious work of keeping the public safe” and that she “will not be distracted.”
Supervisor Noelia Corzo released a statement late Friday night echoing Mueller’s concerns, noting that she is “deeply concerned about the timing of the Sheriff Corpus’ decision to fire him following his cooperation in Judge Cordell’s independent investigation into the Sheriff’s Office and the impact that may have on other staff’s willingness to cooperate in the investigation.”
“I urge the sheriff to reassure her staff that they can and should cooperate fully in the investigation without fear of retaliation and to do everything in her power to avoid any actions that jeopardize staff’s and the public’s trust in this process,” Corzo said.
On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Board of Supervisors announced that they had commissioned an independent investigation into the Sheriff’s Office regarding multiple allegations that had been made about and against personnel in the office. The board chose Cordell, a former superior court judge and independent police auditor for the city of San Jose, to investigate the “numerous complaints” that had been brought forth by Sheriff’s Office employees.
The board has requested Cordell to investigate whether Monaghan has suffered retaliation in connection with participating in the County’s independent investigation. Additionally, the San Mateo County Attorney’s Office is reviewing his dismissal.
“The Board of Supervisors is prepared to take all legal actions necessary to preserve the integrity of the independent investigation and to protect other witnesses interviewed by judge Cordell,” said Mueller in the statement. “The investigation will continue and will not be obstructed.”
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association, a union that represents the deputies employed by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, has also filed several unfair labor practice complaints against the Sheriff’s Office with the California Public Employment Relations Board.
At a press conference on Sept. 17, Carlos Tapia, president of the DSA board, said that the Sheriff’s Office is “gripped by an atmosphere of unease and retaliation,” and that many employees fear speaking out against Corpus.
Corpus’ previous second in command, Undersheriff Chris Hsiung, departed the Sheriff’s Office in June of this year. Hsiung served with the office for just under two years.
“After careful consideration, Sheriff Corpus and Undersheriff Chris Hsiung have come to the understanding that it is best for the organization to go in different directions,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release at the time. The Sheriff’s Office did not provide further details on his departure.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
