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Disgraced former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus filed a claim against San Mateo County, alleging defamation during a process that led to her ouster from office last fall.
The government claim argues that county officials, employees and agents spread numerous false statements that portrayed Corpus as dishonest, corrupt and unfit for office, damaging her reputation, costing her income and benefits, and contributing to the suspension of her peace officer certification, which affects her ability to get another law enforcement position in California. The filing says her damages exceed the threshold of $35,000 for an unlimited civil case.
John Nibbelin, attorney for the county, said Corpus’ claim contains mostly “allegations that she has already raised and that have been fully considered and rejected.”
“Everyone who has looked at the facts, including investigators, the Board of Supervisors, an independent hearing officer and judges of the San Mateo County Superior Court, has concluded that Corpus committed misconduct that warranted her removal from office,” Nibbelin said.
The claim is the latest turn in the long-running political and legal fallout over Corpus’ tenure as sheriff.
Corpus was removed from office on Oct. 14, 2025, when the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oust her after a monthslong process made possible by Measure A, the charter amendment county voters approved last March with overwhelming majority.
Before Measure A, the board did not have the power to remove an elected sheriff. The measure temporarily gave supervisors that authority through the end of 2028, provided four-fifths of the board voted in favor.
The board’s action followed multiple investigations into Corpus and the Sheriff’s Office. In November 2024, the Board of Supervisors released a 408-page report by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell that concluded Corpus and her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, fostered a culture of intimidation and retaliation in the department. The report also found they had an inappropriate personal relationship and raised concerns about abuse of power, retaliation and conflicts of interest.
Corpus has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and said she was being unfairly targeted.
After the board began removal proceedings in June 2025, Corpus appealed, triggering a 10-day public hearing in August before retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Emerson. Emerson later issued a nonbinding opinion concluding the county had cause to remove her. He cited conflict of interest tied to her relationship with Aenlle, retaliation against a captain, retaliation against the deputy sheriffs’ union president and the arrest of union president Carlos Tapia without probable cause.
The board then held its final vote in October and removed Corpus from office effective immediately.
In the new claim filed April 10, Corpus’ attorneys argue that the county’s statements and reports were defamatory and not supported by evidence. The filing says Corpus suffered reputational harm, loss of professional standing, loss of employment opportunities, emotional distress, and the loss of income and benefits tied to her removal.
The claim also alleges that county officials republished false statements through official reports, press conferences, social media and communications to outside agencies, including the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST.
Corpus’ filing names numerous county officials, employees and agents as contributing to her alleged damages, including County Executive Mike Callagy and several members of the Board of Supervisors Corzo, Ray Mueller and David Canepa. Supervisors Mueller and Canepa, as well as other members of the board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Board President Noelia Corzo, speaking on behalf of the county, said Corpus’ echoed Nibbelin and said the claim “recycles allegations that have already been carefully considered and rejected or rebutted.”
She said the issues raised in the filing were reviewed through multiple formal processes, including the Keker investigation, the removal hearing and court proceedings, and that the county stands by the Board of Supervisors’ decision to remove Corpus.
A government claim is typically the required first step before someone can sue a public entity in California. The county can review the claim and either reject it, settle it or take no action, which could open the door to a lawsuit.
The filing also comes as the county has turned the page on Corpus’ removal. In November, the Board of Supervisors selected Kenneth Binder to lead the Sheriff’s Office, less than two weeks after launching a public interview process. Three finalists were interviewed during a multi-hour public forum before the board made its choice.
