REDWOOD CITY – Tensions are escalating between San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus and the Board of Supervisors: The San Mateo County Sheriff is asking for an investigation into County Executive Mike Callagy, while the sheriff is standing behind him.
In a grievance to the board on Sunday, Corpus accused Callagy of undermining her authority and undermining the effectiveness of her office.
“This investigation should cover his (Callagy's) attempts to conspire against an elected sheriff, discrimination, sexual harassment, abuse of power and ongoing interference in the operations of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office,” Corpus said within the letter. “If the committee does not act, I will have no choice but to escalate this matter to the state level.”
The board is reviewing Corpus' grievance and “will take the time necessary to determine the appropriate course of action,” supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller said Monday in an announcement on behalf of the board. Callagy “rejects the sheriff's allegations as false and defamatory” and “welcomes a full, transparent and independent investigation into all allegations made against him,” the supervisors said.
“County Executive Callagy has been an ethical public servant in San Mateo County for over 41 years,” they said. “Unless proven otherwise, the board will continue to have complete faith and trust in his leadership.”
In her grievance, Corpus paints a really different picture of Callagy. During their first meeting after her election, he told her that she had to reveal who she had met inside the district and when, Corpus said. She called the request “inappropriate and offensive.”
“As a woman of color who has endured sexual harassment in this county, I was shocked and appalled by his inappropriate behavior,” the sheriff said. “I cannot imagine he would have made such a demand of my predecessors, who were all men.”
Corpus also accused Callagy of exceeding his authority and interfering within the sheriff's office's operations. She said “a glaring example” was his decision to authorize double additional time “without involving me.” The move cost the county and taxpayers $17 million and had other consequences, in line with Corpus.
“This interference not only circumvented my authority, but also set a dangerous precedent,” Corpus said. “Mr. Callagy's actions destabilized labor relations, undermined my ability to lead effectively, and compromised safety in our correctional facilities. With Mr. Callagy's support, unions developed the false notion that their negotiations went beyond labor issues and included personnel matters.”
Corpus was apparently referring to a recent vote of no confidence in her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. The unions representing the MPs and sergeants claim Aenlle has abused and demeaned their members and exceeded his civilian role by making decisions about their duties. Corpus dismissed the vote as a political ploy by special interests to undermine her leadership and pressure her into personnel changes.
The heated disagreement comes amid an independent investigation commissioned by the Board of Supervisors into “multiple personnel allegations” related to the sheriff's office. The investigation is being led by former Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge LaDoris.
That investigation took a surprising turn last week when Mueller revealed that Corpus Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, her third deputy, had been fired after Cordell questioned him. The timing “suggests possible retaliation” against Monaghan for his participation within the investigation, Mueller said Friday in an announcement on behalf of the panel.
Cordell was asked to analyze whether Corpus took any retaliatory motion against Monaghan.
In its grievance, Corpus said Monaghan was fired not for sitting down for an interview with Cordell, but due to his “duplicity in performance and failure to expeditiously implement the goals of the Sheriff's Office.”
“This decision had nothing to do with retaliation,” Corpus said, stating that it was her decision alone as an elected sheriff to fireplace an unterminated and unclassified worker.
The sheriff suggested that the county executive – through the board – was using its position to intervene in Monaghan's dismissal, stating that the 2 had a “long personal relationship.”
“Mr. Callagy's interference in internal personnel matters is not only inappropriate, it is legally unfounded and an attempt to undermine the democratic process. It sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to further destabilization of the district administration,” she said.
Corpus questioned whether Callagy would have treated her male predecessors the identical way.
“His actions are an example of the challenges women – especially women of color – continue to face in leadership positions, particularly in male-dominated fields like policing,” she said.
Corpus said she was disillusioned but not surprised by the panel's response to her grievance.
“This is what I have experienced for years in this county,” the sheriff wrote in a response Monday afternoon. “Your response does not address the serious concerns I raised regarding Mr. Callagy's inappropriate behavior. It sends a clear message: If you are a woman in San Mateo County and file a complaint, you will be fired.”
Check back later for updates.
image credit : www.mercurynews.com