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A former ally of San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus testified in a public hearing on Monday that he could not continue to work for her because of transparency and other concerns stemming from her alleged romantic relationship with another colleague.
So began the days-long hearing in a courtroom at the San Mateo County Hall of Justice and Records in Redwood City for Corpus’ potential removal from office.
Corpus, in a green blazer, sat at the defendant’s table with her legal team as Jeff Kearnan, a retired sheriff’s official who was a member of her transition team when she was elected sheriff in 2022, gave his testimony in the early afternoon.
Responding to questions from Jan Little, an attorney for the county, Kearnan testified that he refused to be part of Corpus’ administration after learning of her alleged relationship with the sheriff’s Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle.
Kearnan told Corpus that the alleged relationship would be a conflict of interest, he said in court. “I told her if I’m on the executive team, Victor can’t be. If Victor is on the executive team, I can’t be. … It was an integrity issue.”
Kearnan’s testimony also raised trust issues with Corpus. During a Zoom call where she was in her vehicle, he said, Corpus lied that she was alone but was actually with Aenlle, whose reflection was spotted on the windshield.
“She was not truthful with us,” Kearnan testified.
Kearnan also said in court that he had concerns about Corpus’ trip to Hawaii with Aenlle.
Aenlle initially denied the trip when asked, Kearnan testified, “but when I pressed him, he admitted it.”
In court, Kearnan added that the civilian role created for Aenlle was problematic as it would have authority over the sheriff’s sworn positions and bureaus. “It doesn’t make sense to fall into a civilian position like that,” Kearnan said.
“We had concerns regarding with what was happening with” Corpus and Aenlle, including “the amount of influence” he had over the sheriff, Kearnan testified.
The hearing stemmed from Corpus’ appeal of the county supervisors’ unanimous vote in June to oust her.
Supervisors were granted that power when voters passed Measure A earlier this year. The measure sought to amend the county charter to allow supervisors until the end of 2028 — which coincides with the expiration of Corpus’ six-year term — to remove her from office with cause by a four-fifths vote.
Efforts to fire Corpus followed allegations of flagrant and repeated neglect of the sheriff’s duties and obstruction of an investigation into her conduct.
A 408-page report from a county-commissioned independent investigation last year laid out corruption, abuse of power and other violations in Corpus’ tenure.
Corpus has denied any wrongdoing and previously told the Pulse that she has no intention of leaving office.
She also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county, alleging discrimination and harassment.
The sheriff and one of her defense lawyers, Christopher Ulrich, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment following Monday’s session.
Retired Judge James Emerson is overseeing the hearing, which is expected to last until Aug. 29.
Once the hearing ends, Emerson will have up to 45 days to submit to supervisors his recommendation on whether there is cause to remove Corpus.
Supervisors will then have 30 days to make a final decision on the sheriff’s fate.
