Victor Aenlle, the former chief of staff to embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, will be working again with the sheriff’s office as a reserve deputy, according to a leaked memo from Corpus to a department sergeant.
Aenlle, who was removed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors last year, will assist with reviewing and processing applications for concealed carry weapon permits, according to a leaked email dated April 17 that was sent to Sergeant Len Beato, emergency services bureau supervisor.
In the email, Corpus asked Beato to move Aenlle “over to the active list (of reserve deputies)” and “ensure he is receiving all correspondence related to the reserve unit.”
His return to the department comes despite past allegations of misconduct, workplace bullying and corruption raised by members of the sheriff’s unions — claims that were the focus of a more than 400-page investigation led by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell and published last November. Aenlle has also been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Corpus, an allegation both have previously denied.
Corpus confirmed his assignment in an email to this news organization.
“We continue to see a significant increase in the number of applications for Concealed Carry Weapon licenses, which has created a backlog we are actively addressing,” she said. “Mr. Aenlle has been a fully qualified reserve deputy for over 17 years.”
Though Aenlle was banned last year from non-public county spaces, Corpus said she consulted with San Mateo County Attorney John Nibbelin and was advised that Aenlle may access any area where reserve deputies are permitted.
“As sheriff, I have the authority to assign reserve deputies to work anywhere there is a need,” Corpus said. “It has historically been the case, and continues to be the case, that reserve deputies work in a variety of functions in the Sheriff’s Office. Reserve deputies are not compensated; they are volunteering their time.”
San Mateo County spokesperson Michelle Durand affirmed the county’s position in a text message.
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“He [Aenlle] is still banned from other non-public county spaces,” Durand said. “But if he is a reserve deputy, the county attorney has said he can be where reserve deputies are allowed.”
The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Organization of Sheriffs Sergeants condemned Aenlle’s assignment in a joint statement.
“Sheriff Corpus continues to practice open corruption and defiant mismanagement, which has forced our community to take the unprecedented step of seeking her removal from office,” the unions said. “Rehiring Victor Aenlle — the individual who sparked complaints of nepotism and harassment — once again demonstrates her blatant disrespect for both the community and the office she holds.”
The reassignment comes as Corpus faces mounting legal and political pressure. Earlier this month, she filed a lawsuit against the county seeking the release of payment records related to Cordell’s investigation.
Corpus, the county’s first Latina sheriff, has rejected calls to resign and insists the investigation by Cordell was biased and politically motivated.
Last month, 84% of San Mateo County voters approved a charter amendment granting the board of supervisors temporary authority to remove an elected sheriff. That authority is in effect through 2028, when Corpus’ term is slated to end.
The board is currently reviewing a proposed 12-step removal process drafted with guidance from the law firm Hanson Bridgett. The process could take at least 3 1/2 months, not including time to appoint a replacement if Corpus is ultimately removed.
