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(CN) — San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block efforts to remove her from office, arguing that county supervisors are using a biased and unconstitutional process aimed at overturning the will of voters.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, names all five members of the county Board of Supervisors as defendants and seeks to disqualify two of them for expressing “clear bias.” Corpus remains in office pending the outcome of her legal challenge.
Her attorneys, led by Wilson Leung of Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney, argue that the procedures established under the county charter don’t meet constitutional standards for due process and violate multiple federal protections — including prohibitions on ex post facto punishment and bills of attainder.
Under Article 412.5, which voters approved in March, the Board of Supervisors can remove an elected sheriff by a four-fifths vote. While the process includes a pre-removal conference and a formal hearing, the lawsuit argues it lacks safeguards to ensure impartiality.
“Defendants have guaranteed that any Hearing Officer will be someone of their choosing,” Corpus argues in the complaint. “Defendants are free, with a four-fifths vote, to reject the advisory opinion of the Hearing Officer, and their ‘decision will be final and binding.’”
A formal removal hearing before the board is scheduled to take place from Aug. 18 to 29.
The lawsuit also points to public comments made by Vice President Noelia Corzo and Supervisor Ray Mueller as evidence of pre-judgment and bias. At a public meeting, Corzo reportedly said: “There is clear evidence. There is documentation proving the corruption that is happening right now in the sheriff’s office.
“She needs to step down. That is the right thing to do,” Corzo later added.
Mueller reportedly stated: “I no longer believe she is fit to serve this county.”
The removal process stems from investigations into Corpus’ leadership. A report by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell concluded that she had a romantic relationship with her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, and that the arrangement created a conflict of interest. A second investigation, by the law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters, reinforced many of the report’s conclusions while walking back others.
Corpus has disputed the findings, criticizing both investigations as one-sided and based largely on anonymous sources and hearsay. She was elected in 2022 as the first woman and first Latina to serve as sheriff in San Mateo County. She argues that the charter amendment enabling her removal was crafted specifically to target her and invalidate the results of that election.
In addition to the charter-based process, Corpus is also facing a separate removal effort initiated by the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. That case, which will proceed in court with a jury trial, includes four counts claiming conflict of interest, retaliation, and abuse of authority. Corpus formally denied the accusations during a brief court hearing Tuesday.
Corpus asks the federal court to block the removal proceedings, invalidate the charter provision, and disqualify any supervisor who has shown bias.
If both efforts succeed, Corpus could become the first sheriff in California history removed through overlapping administrative and judicial processes.
Courthouse News reached out to Corpus and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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