Embattled San Mateo County sheriff rehires former chief of staff

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, who could soon be removed from her job, has brought back her former chief of staff, with whom she reportedly had a romantic relationship. Corpus said she rehired Victor Aenlle as reserve deputy, crediting his 17 years of experience in the role.

The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association said the rehire makes their skin crawl. Eliot Storch, a San Mateo County sheriff’s deputy and board secretary for the county Sheriff’s Association, said, “It’s a middle finger to everybody who cares about morals and ethics.”

“DSA has significant doubts that Aenlle is in fact a qualified reserved deputy,” Storch continued. “All that matters is that Sheriff Corpus hired her alleged boyfriend to be in a role, despite no one wanting her to be here and despite his behavior.”

Aenlle was removed as chief of staff last year after a scathing report accused Corpus of having a romantic relationship with him, creating a toxic work environment and creating jobs for Aenlle without publicizing the job opening. Corpus has denied all of the allegations.

In March, San Mateo County voters passed Measure A, giving county supervisors the authority to remove the embattled sheriff.

In a statement to KRON4, Corpus said there’s a backlog of concealed carry weapon licenses that need to be addressed. The task will be part of Aenlle’s job as a reserve officer.

Storch said this is all a “power play,” because there are plenty of other qualified people to fulfill the role.

The Sheriff’s Association said the best thing Corpus can do for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is to quit.