Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: 4/5ths
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John D. Nibbelin, County Attorney
Subject: Consideration of Initiating Process to Remove Sheriff Corpus
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution:
A) Confirming removal procedures adopted pursuant to Section 412.5 of the San Mateo County Charter; and
B) Adopting and approving issuance of a written Notice of Intent to Remove Sheriff Christina Corpus for cause and initiating removal procedures to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from office pursuant to Section 412.5 of the San Mateo County Charter; and
C) Directing staff to provide Sheriff Christina Corpus the adopted and approved Notice of Intent to Remove.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 4, 2025, the County held a Special Election on Countywide Measure A to amend the San Mateo County Charter to add Section 412.5, which would grant the Board of Supervisors authority, until December 31, 2028, to remove an elected sheriff for certain enumerated causes ("Charter Amendment").
The full text of the Charter Amendment is as follows:
412.5. Removal of Elected Sheriff for Cause
a. The Board of Supervisors may remove a Sheriff from office for cause, by a four-fifths vote, after a Sheriff has been:
(1) Served with a written statement of alleged grounds for removal; and
(2) Provided a reasonable opportunity to be heard regarding any explanation or defense.
b. For the purposes of this Section 412.5, "cause" shall mean any of the following:
(1) Violation of any law related to the performance of a Sheriff's duties; or
(2) Flagrant or repeated neglect of a Sheriff's duties as defined by law; or
(3) Misappropriation of public funds or property as defined in California law; or
(4) Willful falsification of a relevant official statement or document; or
(5) Obstruction, as defined in federal, State, or local law applicable to a Sheriff, of any investigation into the conduct of a Sheriff and/or the San Mateo Coun...
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