San Mateo City Council votes 5-0 to adopt no-confidence resolution in County Sheriff Christina Corpus

The San Mateo City Council on Feb. 6 voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution stating the council’s position of no confidence in San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus and calling on the sheriff to resign.

The resolution came after public comment from deputies, union leaders and residents who described retaliation, hostile work culture and legal concerns inside the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Council members said the countywide impact of the allegations and the services the sheriff’s office provides to the city — including jail staffing, courthouse and rail corridor security and mutual aid — justified San Mateo weighing in.

“I'm certain that you're all aware of the deplorable actions taken by the sheriff as outlined in the independent report led by the honorable Ladores Cordell,” said Mike Nash, a correctional officer with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and a board member of the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Nash urged the council to “take a stand against corruption and cast a vote of no confidence.”

Elliot Storch, a detective with the sheriff’s office and secretary of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs Association, told the council that he and his colleagues had experienced a culture of “fear and retaliation.” “She speaks about culture change, and yet what she has done is create a culture of fear and retaliation in this agency,” Storch said.

Several labor leaders urged the council to adopt the resolution. Julie Lind, speaking on behalf of the San Mateo Labor Council, said the sheriff’s administration had produced the highest number of HR complaints the county has seen in two years and warned of legal and fiscal consequences. “If the county lose[s] any of those suits, the required settlement payments will come out of the county's general fund,” Lind said, and she cited the potential impact on county services and funding.

Not all public commenters supported the ballot measure discussed at the meeting. A caller identifying himself as a ballot measure opponent said the proposed Measure A would weaken voters’ ability to elect an independent sheriff and predicted the measure would face legal challenges. He urged residents to “Vote no on Measure A.”

Council members spoke in favor of the resolution during a brief council comment period. Council member Fernandez said the city and county are closely integrated and that the council had a responsibility to act. “I have come to the conclusion that there is no alternative but to support the no confidence resolution,” Fernandez said. Council member Diaz Nash said she would vote yes and planned to return her ballot after the meeting.

The council took the motion to support the resolution on the agenda packet and, after a motion and second, the clerk conducted a roll call: Council member Fernandez — yes; Council member Svirko Guditski — yes; Council member Diaz Nash — yes; Deputy Mayor Lorraine — yes; Mayor Newsom — yes. The clerk announced, “Motion carries 5, 0.”

The resolution is a formal expression of the council’s view and does not by itself remove the sheriff from office. Several speakers and council members referenced an independent report led by Judge Ladores Cordell and remarks made by a judge (identified in public comment as Nicole Healy) in connection with broader county proceedings and the concurrent Measure A discussion.

The meeting included nine public comment requests on this item; the special session lasted roughly a half hour. Council members said the city’s vote is intended to send a message to county leaders and to reflect concerns raised by deputies, unions and community members.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: “Support the resolution that is part of the agenda packet” (vote of no confidence in Sheriff Christina Corpus). Mover: Council member Diaz Nash; second: Council member Svirko Guditski. Roll call vote: Fernandez — yes; Svirko Guditski — yes; Diaz Nash — yes; Deputy Mayor Lorraine — yes; Mayor Newsom — yes. Outcome: approved, 5-0.

Next steps: The resolution is a statement by the San Mateo City Council. Any change in the sheriff’s employment would require action by the electorate or other county or state processes referenced in public testimony and is not within the city council’s authority.