San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy was cleared of allegations that he interfered with Sheriff Christina Corpus’ authority and engaged in discriminatory or inappropriate conduct, according to an independent investigative report ordered by the county that was released Thursday.
The investigation, led by Christina Ro-Connolly of Oakland-based Oppenheimer Investigations, concluded that most of the claims brought forward by Corpus were not substantiated.
These included allegations that Callagy questioned her about her romantic relationships, negotiated overtime for sheriff’s personnel without her input, blocked personnel decisions, and treated her differently based on her race, ethnicity or gender.
The report was made public following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on Thursday. In a brief statement, the county said, “The Board now considers this matter closed.”
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The complaint that led to the investigation was filed by Corpus last September. In a news conference at the time, she accused Callagy of engaging in “serious political dirty dealings” and said the public deserved transparency.
Despite the findings, Corpus stood by her claims.
“While I am not surprised by the outcome of another investigation commissioned by the same parties trying to remove me from office, I stand by my allegations and concerns regarding Mr. Callagy interfering with my authority to run the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office as the elected Sheriff,” she said in an email to this news organization Thursday. “I look forward to aggressively pursuing the same in the appropriate arena.”
Independent investigative reports generally do not carry legal binding authority and do not definitively establish guilt or innocence in a court of law.
While most of the claims were dismissed, the investigation did substantiate one allegation: that Callagy intervened to try to block the termination of Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan.
Monaghan was fired last year after cooperating with a leadership investigation into Corpus, led by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell.
Callagy acknowledged his involvement, citing concerns over potential legal liability stemming from Monaghan’s recent participation in a separate investigation into internal workplace issues.
The investigator concluded that Callagy’s rationale appeared “plausible and reasonable,” particularly in light of the tense working relationship between the two officials.
In contrast, Corpus’ broader claims of discrimination were not supported by evidence, the investigator found. The report noted that she did not provide a factual basis for alleging that Callagy treated her differently because she is Latina. Witnesses interviewed during the investigation did not report observing discriminatory conduct, and some individuals of similar backgrounds described positive working relationships with Callagy.
The investigation marks the latest development in a months-long power struggle between Corpus and county leadership.
The tension intensified last November, when a 400-page report by Cordell accused Corpus of misconduct, corruption and workplace bullying. Corpus has denied the accusations and criticized the report’s reliance on anonymous sources and unrecorded interviews.
The growing controversy led to a ballot measure aimed at holding elected sheriffs more accountable.
In March, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A, which temporarily gives the Board of Supervisors the authority to remove a sheriff by a four-fifths vote. The charter amendment took effect in April, and earlier this month, the board finalized procedures for initiating the removal process. Officials estimate the process could take up to four months once it begins.
Corpus has pushed back on multiple fronts.
She has filed a lawsuit against the county seeking records related to the Cordell investigation and commissioned a separate review by retired Riverside County Superior Court Judge Burke E. Strunsky. In his analysis, Strunsky criticized the Cordell report’s methodology, calling it impossible to assess witness credibility due to the lack of recorded interviews.
The standoff has triggered multiple legal actions from both sides.
Last March, Callagy filed a $10.5 million claim against the county over the allegations made against him.
Supervisor Ray Mueller, who has previously called for Corpus’ resignation, expressed frustration that the process to consider her removal has yet to begin, despite the Board approving procedures earlier this month.
“I have been purposefully quiet since Measure A passed to avoid accusations of bias, but this morning I feel compelled to speak,” Mueller said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “I believe it is possible to be both time-efficient and fair. Fairness doesn’t just apply to the sheriff — it applies to those who work in the sheriff’s office and the residents of this county. It’s time for this board to move forward.”
