The board unanimously adopted an ordinance calling for the special election in which voters will be asked to approve a charter amendment that would allow county supervisors to remove a sheriff from office under specific circumstances.
EXCLUSIVE: San Mateo Co. sheriff says false info being shared from department, Board of Supervisors
The amendment will now be placed on the March ballot after supervisors gave the green light to holding a special election then.
"I have never, in my seven years as an elected official, seen an investigation, first of all, that has 15 allegations that are being investigated. I want people to understand how rare that is. That is not normal. And I think it speaks to the level of severity of what is happening in our sheriff's office," Supervisor Noelia Corzo said.
During public comment, some San Mateo County residents questioned why the board would not wait for voters to potentially try and garner support for a recall of Corpus.
"The report is completely unsubstantiated... I think for you all to be attacking her just shows more about you. I know you're all corrupt," Half Moon Bay resident Monica Berlin said.
Supervisors said the matter is urgent due to the impact it is having inside the sheriff's office.
"This matter continues to harm people in the Sheriff's office," Corzo said.
TIMELINE: San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus investigation
Two weeks ago, all five San Mateo County Sheriff's Office captains called on their boss to step down amid her misconduct allegations.
A spokesperson for Corzo said the process of the special election will cost taxpayers about $4 million, saying that is about the same as what a recall would cost.
"If she doesn't and we have to move forward with this election in March, she will be responsible for the millions of dollars that it will cost our county taxpayers to hold that special election," Corzo said in the meeting.
What is Sheriff Corpus accused of?
Among other things, the nearly 400-page report accuses the sheriff of abuse of power, using intimidation and retaliation tactics, as well as having an inappropriate personal relationship with her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. It also alleges the sheriff used racist and homophobic language.
"Lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest, and abuses of authority are the hallmarks of the Corpus administration," the report reads. "Sheriff Corpus should step down and Victor Aenlle's employment with the Sheriff's Office should be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization that is in turmoil, and its personnel demoralized."
The investigation was prompted by complaints from sheriff's office staff. It was independently conducted by retired Santa Clara Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell.
She denies all allegations and has refused multiple calls to step down.
In a Monday letter to supervisors, Corpus urged the board to not move forward, saying "this is not democracy!"
"To overturn the will of the voters, one would think that every effort would be made to create an environment based upon facts and legal protection, not a salacious broadcast of unfounded allegations," she wrote.
The board formally invited Corpus to share her side of the story under oath at its next meeting on Dec. 10. Supervisors also set a deadline of Dec. 11 to withdraw the request for a special election, in case of developments that would change their minds.