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San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus has agreed to make her upcoming removal hearing open to the public, reversing an earlier request for private proceedings after government transparency advocates threatened legal action.
The proceedings follow allegations of misconduct outlined in a 524-page investigative report commissioned by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and prepared by the law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP. The investigation examined 15 allegations, including claims of abuse of power, interference with internal investigations, and an inappropriate relationship between Corpus and her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. The report concluded that some of Corpus’s actions may constitute violations of law and neglect of duties, which are grounds for removal under the county charter.
Measure A, a charter amendment passed by 84% of voters in March, gave the Board of Supervisors the temporary power — through December 2028 — to remove an elected sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote. In June, the Board unanimously approved a Notice of Intent to Remove, beginning the removal process.
Although the board initially granted Corpus’s request for a closed-door hearing, the First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit advocating for government transparency, sent a letter to the county earlier this month arguing that a closed hearing would “shut San Mateo citizens out of a key phase of a process they voted to begin in Measure A.”
In a letter this week, County Attorney John Nibbelin responded, writing that “the County agrees … that the Removal Hearing … should be open to the public.” He added that if the coalition chose to sue, “the County Attorney’s Office will not oppose it.”
At the time, however, Nibbelin said Corpus had “demanded that the hearing be closed” and that the removal procedures adopted by the board did not provide a way to overrule her objection.
The coalition then wrote directly to Corpus’ attorneys on July 23, urging them to withdraw their request for a closed-door hearing.
On July 24, Corpus reversed course, now stating that she has a “firm conviction” in favor of transparency.
“No more one-sided narratives, or deceiving the residents of this county,” Corpus said in the press release. “Let the public see the facts.”
The hearings are planned to take place on Aug.18 . If found to have committed misconduct, Corpus will be removed from her elected position.
