Former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus tells I-Team she will retire same day she was fired

Supervisor Speer? Aye. Supervisor Corzo? Yes. Supervisor Mueller? Yes. Supervisor Gaucher? Yes. President Canepa? Yes. Motion passes unanimously. A breaking news update this evening on the year-long saga of embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpuz. County supervisors have voted unanimously to remove her from office effective immediately. Good evening, I'm Amma Dates. And I'm J.R. Stone. Today's vote ends months of investigation, acrimony, and political wrangling over allegations of corruption, retaliation, and abuse of power. ABC 7 News I-Team reporter Dan Noyes has been following this battle since the very beginning. He's live from Redwood City. And Dan, Corpuz stayed defiant right up till the very end. That's right, Amma and J.R. The public comment in this hearing was really back and forth. You know, there was no clear winner, but that was after the sheriff and her legal team took one last shot, a 40-minute closing argument. I was the first woman in the history of San Mateo County to have the courage to stand up against the old guard. Christina Corpuz wanted one more word with the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors before they voted to fire her. If I lose my position today, I will walk out with my head held up very high because I never betrayed the people who trusted me. Her lawyers argued that the supervisors and the public who voted on Measure A were misled by the Cordell report. It is true that the investigation into Corpuz by a retired judge was deemed inadmissible in court, as hearsay. It's been totally discredited. It should be thrown out. It's not worth the paper it's on. It has no legal significance, but it got us to Measure A. They also claimed supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller should not be part of what is in effect the sheriff's jury because of the many public statements they've made against the sheriff. They've asked for the removal. So if they were jurors and I was a judge picking a case, they would be removed for cause. They cannot vote. After a closed session, the board came back and quickly made it clear what the outcome would be. Agreeing with an administrative law judge, the Corpuz had a conflict of interest that she put her close friend and chief of staff, Victor I. And J. In charge of too many decisions and that she retaliated against her detractors. In my view, Sheriff Corpuz lost her sense of purpose and put Mr I. N. J. Above the vocal opposition to him among the ranks of her deputies and in so doing permanently damaged her relationship with those she was charged to lead. It's a tragedy, a real tragedy. Supervisor Spear. I Supervisor Corzo. Chess. The final vote was unanimous after board President David Canaba defended how the supervisors removed Corpus as opposed to holding a recall or relying on the civil grand jury. I stand by the process 1000%. I think the process was clear. It was transparent. Um, it wasn't like it was a rush to judgment after the hearing to remove her. I've reached the former sheriff by text about her firing. She said, I will be okay. They don't deserve me. Corpus also told me she retired under duress today so she and her Children could get health coverage over the coming years in Redwood City. Dan Noyes, abc seven News. Dan Christina Corpus been under fire essentially since she took office in January of 2023. I know you've been following this that entire time. The Cordell report came out last fall. This saga has been going on a long time. Is it over now? Yes. You know, J. R. It's been a long time, but it's not over yet. Corpus and her legal team have just filed an emergency motion in Superior Court to get this all thrown out and to reinstate her that hearing will be on thursday at the earliest. And also the board President D. J. Canapa says he wants this to go to a vote for a special election for the voters to choose who the next sheriff will be. J. R. All right, a lot to continue to cover. Dan, you're all over it all. Thank you so much.