In an announcement on behalf of the panel, Supervisor Ray Mueller said he learned late this afternoon that Sheriff Christina Corpus had fired Deputy Sheriff Ryan Monaghan. The termination, he noted, got here after Monaghan was interviewed by LaDoris Cordell, a former judge who was appointed to steer the investigation.
“The timing of the sheriff's intervention and the information provided by Assistant Sheriff Monaghan indicate possible retaliation against Assistant Sheriff Monaghan for his participation in Judge Cordell's independent investigation,” the statement said.
Corpus dismissed Mueller's testimony as “totally inappropriate” and “pure speculation.”
“He should know the facts before speaking out on such an important issue,” Corpus said in an announcement. “It seems like he is just trying to get attention, and this behavior is inappropriate, unprofessional and must stop.”
“When the people of San Mateo County elected me sheriff, they trusted me to decide who to put on my leadership staff,” Corpus said. “The coach puts the team together. Period.”
According to Mueller's testimony, Cordell was asked to research whether Monaghan was retaliated against.
“The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and the Board of Supervisors is prepared to take any legal action necessary to preserve the integrity of the independent investigation and protect other witnesses interviewed by Judge Cordell,” Mueller said. “The investigation will continue and will not be obstructed.”
Last week, the board announced it had authorized an independent investigation into “several personnel allegations” related to the sheriff's office. County officials declined to release details in regards to the investigation.
Meanwhile, unions representing local deputies and sergeants have publicly accused the sheriff's office leadership of making a toxic work environment and refusing to barter staffing increases and extra time requirements.
Union leaders say the blame lies largely with Corpus' chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. They claim Aenlle repeatedly verbally abused and demeaned union members and exceeded his civilian role by making decisions in regards to the duties of sworn employees.
Last week, 306 union members voted in favor of a vote of no confidence within the chief of staff, while 12 voted against. The sheriff's office has about 800 cops.
Corpus said in an announcement last week that the vote was “nothing more than a political ploy” by special interests to undermine its leadership and pressure it into personnel changes.
“It has no legal implications and changes nothing,” Corpus said. “I appointed my chief of staff and he will remain in that position.”
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