Supervisors vote to remove Sheriff Corpus, who vows to exhaust all appeals to keep job

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from her position, following an independent investigation that found she violated the law while performing her duties. Chief Probation Officer John Keene, who oversaw the pre-removal conference, recommended her removal based on allegations of neglecting job responsibilities and obstructing investigations. Corpus has denied these allegations and intends to appeal, with her attorneys claiming the process has been biased and flawed. The board's decision comes after voters approved Measure A, enabling supervisors to remove a sheriff for cause with a four-fifths vote. Corpus made history as the first woman and Latina sheriff in San Mateo County after her election in 2022, where she advocated for law enforcement reform.

The detailed findings of the investigations, including claims of using racial slurs and nepotism, remain undisclosed. The sheriff has a five-day window to file an appeal, which would lead to an evidentiary hearing. Supervisor Jackie Speier expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the financial burden on taxpayers.