Assistant Sheriff Matthew Fox of San Mateo County relinquished his position today, exiting the law enforcement agency amidst a wave of discord, as the deputies' union reported. With a 25-year tenure in local law enforcement, Fox stepped down just two months after being promoted, a detail confirmed by the deputies' union, as per NBC Bay Area.
His departure trailed closely behind a polarizing 400-page report alleging misconduct within the Sheriff's Office, undermining the integrity of Sheriff Christina Corpus. The report, released earlier this week, outlined sustained findings of an improper work romance, misuse of racially insensitive and homophobic language, and retaliation, according to KTVU. Corpus has fervently denied the allegations. "I am completely baffled, shocked, and dismayed about the inquiry and its many falsehoods," she said. "Claims that I am a racist and a homophobic are not true. I have never and would never use those words."
In what some may argue to be an act to fortify her position, Corpus promoted Victor Aenlle, the subject of the alleged affair, from Chief of Staff to Assistant Sheriff. This move came shortly before the Board of Supervisors passed a unanimous no-confidence vote against her. Aenlle, whose law enforcement credentials as a reserve deputy have been questioned in the report, also has a background in business, investigation, and health care, as per his bio that includes a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from Union Institute & University, as stated by KTVU.
The turmoil at the San Mateo Sheriff's Office has started an exodus of law enforcement professionals, with more than 100 sworn staff departing since Corpus's tenure began. This includes the well-regarded Undersheriff Chris Hsiung, whose departure in June was highlighted in the independent report. The association representing deputies also criticized the timing of the arrest of its president, Carlos Tapia, on felony theft charges, labeling it as a potential retaliatory action. The District Attorney's office has yet to file any charges in that case, according to KTVU.
