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San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy has filed a claim against Sheriff Christina Corpus and her former Chief of Staff, Victor Aenlle, alleging they repeatedly made false statements about him, resulting in severe emotional distress and harm to his reputation.
The claim was filed on March 13 for $10.5 million in damages. Callagy accuses Corpus and Aenlle of conspiring to ruin his reputation to distract from their own alleged misconduct, according to the claim.
In a statement, Jim Hartnett, Callagy’s attorney, said while Callagy has fully cooperated with the investigation, Corpus has failed to interview with the investigator, “just as she failed to sit for an interview during the Cordell investigation.”
“Those who make false statements and engage in other wrongful conduct with the intention to cause harm must be held personally, individually responsible for the damages,” Harnett said.
Hartnett was referring to the investigative report released by San Mateo County Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller on Nov. 12, 2024, which accuses Corpus of abuses of power, retaliation and fostering a culture of intimidation and outlines a years-long affair between Corpus and Aenlle. The report was conducted by retired Judge LaDoris H.
According to Callagy’s claim, Corpus made several false and malicious statements about him. Among the allegations, Corpus claimed Callagy made an “inappropriate and offensive request” for her to disclose who she had dated within the county, accused him of making unilateral decisions that cost taxpayers $17 million and alleged he supported a “good old boy system” within county leadership. The claim asserts these statements were made with malice and intent to harm Callagy’s reputation.
During a press conference on Sept. 22, Corpus accused Callagy of “retaliation, abuse of power, sexual discrimination and bullying tactics” to undermine her authority as an elected official. She also requested the County Board of Supervisors to initiate an independent investigation into Callagy in a letter addressed to the then Board President Warren Slocum.
The document further alleges that Corpus repeatedly made these and similar statements to the press, including during an interview where she accused Callagy of asking a police chief to replace her. Callagy denies these accusations, stating they are false and intended to portray him in a false light.
“Mr. Callagy provided unprecedented assistance to Corpus in an attempt to help her be successful,” Hartnett said in the statement.
The claim also details accusations against Aenlle, alleging he spread false information about Callagy to union representatives. One such statement claimed Callagy was the godfather of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan’s daughter — a statement Callagy argues was meant to imply he had a personal bias in protecting Monaghan from termination. Additionally, Aenlle allegedly accused Callagy of targeting his coastal property in a county investigation for code violations and of blocking Corpus’s daycare plans.
“Mr. Callagy is not the godfather of Ryan Monaghan’s daughter and would not recognize her if she walked in front of him,” the claim states. It also argues that there were no clear plans on how the daycare would operate, how it would be paid for and who would run it.
The claim seeks at least $4 million in special damages, $2.5 million in general damages for emotional distress and loss of reputation and an additional $4 million in punitive damages.
Corpus and Aenlle did not respond to a request for comment.
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Too bad this article doesn’t point out that the claim is against Callagy’s and the sheriff’s joint employer, San Mateo County, and that under California law, the County is going to be responsible for any monies required for the sheriff to defend Callagy’s eventual lawsuit and any monies he receives as possible damages in that lawsuit.
In “theory” Corpus and Anelle could be individually responsible, but it’s not plausible because they made the alleged statements in their capacity with the sheriff’s department.
Callagy knows this, and knows that only the County, not Corpus or Anelle, could even be good for $10.5M.
SMC will have to accept or deny this claim. Since Callagy is now claiming against his employer, I have to figure he’s ready to retire and wants an enhanced package.
Why is this guy still the County manager?
What a mess. And yes, why is this guy still the County Manager?