Report: Corpus concealed staffer’s records, ignored misconduct tied to supporters

Embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus not only had an alleged inappropriate relationship with a top staffer but also made an effort to conceal negative information in the background file according to documents in a county-commissioned assessment that were in recent times made available to the society The so-called Keker assessment prepared by the San Francisco law firm Keker Van Nest Peters outlines multiple assertions of misconduct against Corpus who faces two separate challenges to her leadership a removal effort by the Board of Supervisors and a civil grand jury summary also accusing her of misconduct and corruption that was just now filed in San Mateo County Superior Court In addition to efforts to conceal negative records on the background file of her former campaign manager and chief of staff Victor Aenlle with whom she is accused of having an inappropriate relationship the account says Corpus failed to investigate serious incidents involving deputies who supported her or her campaign including a occurrence in which an allegedly gang-affiliated teenager was allowed to vape in a patrol car and another involving the alleged abuse of incarcerated people It also accuses her of retaliating against critics and disregarding internal affairs recommendations When requested by this news organization on Tuesday Corpus denied she attempted to conceal anything in Aenlle s background file describing the allegation as a gross mischaracterization unsupported by evidence She declared the request to restrict access was made in accordance with legal and ethical standards to protect the integrity of internal records and the privacy rights of individuals involved In one key instance the Keker assessment alleges that Corpus restricted access to records produced during a background check of Aenlle before he assumed a civilian post Aenlle and Corpus have both denied having an inappropriate relationship but the analysis is the first to describe alleged efforts to shield his personnel records Sheriff s Lt Jonathan Sebring was aware that Aenlle s background check contained an old assessment from a local police department containing accusations of criminal conduct the review states It does not detail the nature of the complaint After Sebring accessed the file Corpus appealed who else could view it according to the Keker summary When informed members of the department s Professional Standards Bureau had access including a lieutenant captain and assistant sheriff she instructed Sebring to restrict it The lieutenant then coordinated with the Sheriff s Office Technical Services Unit and ratified once access was limited The record describes multiple misconduct incidents involving deputies perceived as loyal to Corpus that the account explained she allegedly ignored One event from August involved a deputy who allowed a minor affiliated with a gang to smoke an electronic cigarette in the front seat of a patrol car while recording it on video The deputy and the deputy s spouse had contributed to Corpus campaign and the deputy was considered a favorite of the sheriff the review commented Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan reportedly raised the situation with Undersheriff Dan Perea and recommended a formal internal affairs examination Perea declined allegedly asking whether the video could be withheld from the District Attorney according to the Keker assessment Professional Standards Bureau staff insisted the video absolutely had to be turned over Another situation from mid- involved a correctional officer who failed to assessment an officer for forcing incarcerated people to dance in degrading and provocative techniques according to the summary Although the officer was eventually investigated Corpus never issued a disciplinary decision That same officer allegedly got into a physical altercation with a civilian in August leading to a civil rights lawsuit Nine months later the statement declared the examination remained unresolved The Keker overview also accuses Corpus of retaliating against staffers who have spoken out against her Sgt Jimmy Chan a longtime department officer appeared at a news conference supporting the Measure A campaign to remove the sheriff He was on approved vacation at the time Later that same day he was informed of his transfer to a San Francisco International Airport post which he considered unfavorable and damaging to his career He was not given an opportunity to contest the move the summary stated Corpus pushed back against those alleges describing them as politically motivated and unsubstantiated At no point has anyone been disciplined or targeted for their assistance of Measure A she communicated this news organization adding that efforts to portray accountability as retaliation are not just disingenuous it s dangerous She described the Keker overview as a recycling of misleading narratives fueled by those loyal to the previous administration It builds on the biased Cordell statement offering no new factual evidence just more speculation hearsay and retaliatory proposes she commented Corpus also defended her administration s internal affairs practices saying the overview s examples were misleading and incomplete She maintained that every concern brought to our attention has been investigated or appropriately addressed in accordance with department plan She commented a few incidents cited involved trainees or evolving investigations and were being selectively used to paint a false picture of dysfunction Cherry-picking isolated incidents and ignoring context does not equate to a failed system it equates to a biased agenda she mentioned Despite the argument Corpus explained her administration has delivered results crime is down recruitment is up and operations have been modernized despite coordinated resistance from a small group of malcontents clinging to the status quo I remain focused on delivering results improving transparency and ensuring the safety of all San Mateo County residents she stated I was elected by the people and I will continue to serve them with integrity despite politically motivated efforts to undermine this office Aenlle in a message to this news organization dismissed the document and denied its accusations The Keker review is nothing more than a continuation of the deeply flawed Cordell overview Aenlle disclosed It interviews multiple of the same individuals a multitude of of whom have personal political or union-aligned agendas and it presents no new factual evidence Though the -page Keker summary largely mirrors the findings of retired Judge LaDoris Cordell whose county-commissioned summary intensified calls for Corpus ouster it includes more specific testimony including named observers and further documentation of alleged misconduct The county validated that Corpus has formally appealed the Board of Supervisors preliminary vote last month to remove her triggering a hearing within to days Retired Santa Clara County Judge James Emerson will serve as the hearing officer The sheriff has requested a closed hearing county spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci declared We will be evaluating that request in light of new developments Corpus is also expected to appear in court July to respond to the civil grand jury s accusation of misconduct and retaliation