San Mateo, California — The scrutiny facing Sheriff Christina Corpus intensifies as the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury deliberates a potential trial aimed at her removal due to allegations of corruption. A decision is anticipated on Monday, coinciding with the end of the fiscal year.
In a related development, a judge dismissed Corpus’s recent attempt to block the county Board of Supervisors from proceeding with her removal. San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Nina Shapirshteyn rejected her request for a temporary restraining order, deeming it without justification.
The civil grand jury’s active term concludes at 5 p.m. on Monday, and any matters awaiting a verdict must be resolved by then, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Should the grand jury opt to file an “accusation” against Corpus, the case would advance to trial, requiring a new jury of 12 individuals to reach a unanimous decision, similar to a criminal proceeding.
Operating as a public watchdog, the civil grand jury consists of 19 citizens, serving one-year terms, and primarily produces non-binding reports on local governmental operations. Under state law, if the jury issues an accusation, the district attorney must take the case to trial, focusing solely on the official’s actions.
The consequences for an elected official found guilty of the accusations are significant, though they do not involve incarceration. The penalty is limited to dismissal from office, along with a prohibition on future candidacy. This process mirrors a precedent set in neighboring Santa Clara County, where allegations against former Sheriff Laurie Smith resulted in similar legal actions.
Corpus’s legal team has previously sought to bar her from testifying before the civil grand jury, alleging a conflict of interest due to Wagstaffe’s dual role in investigating Corpus over criminal charges, while also presenting a case related to her conduct. Wagstaffe confirmed that his office is actively reviewing claims against both Corpus and her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, following a comprehensive 400-page report by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell.
This marks Corpus’s second effort to halt the process initiated earlier this year following the approval of Measure A, granting the Board of Supervisors power to terminate a sheriff. She first attempted to challenge the proceedings on June 9, but was denied by Judge Nicole Healy, who deemed the challenge premature since the process was already underway.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to dismiss Corpus on June 24. She has indicated plans to appeal this decision, extending the process further. Allegations against her include not just corruption but also claims of nepotism, retaliation, intimidation, and discriminatory remarks.
As the situation unfolds, the attention on Corpus continues to grow, and the outcomes of both the civil grand jury’s decision and her appeal will undoubtedly shape the future of law enforcement leadership in San Mateo County.
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