The California Public Employment Relations Board directed San Mateo County, in its role overseeing the sheriff’s office, to address a complaint from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association alleging labor violations.

Filed earlier this month, the union’s complaint accuses embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus and former chief of staff Victor Aenlle of unilaterally altering overtime and staffing policies, interfering with union rights, and retaliating against the association for engaging in protected activities.

The labor board has scheduled a settlement conference for later this month. If no agreement is reached, the case will proceed to a formal hearing.

Although the sheriff and county officials have been at odds for the past several months, the county is named as the respondent in the complaint because it serves as the employer and oversees the sheriff’s office in labor matters.

The complaint outlines that before August last year, temporary guidelines encouraged deputies to volunteer for 24 hours of overtime every two weeks, with at least 12 of those hours worked in the jail.

The sheriff allegedly extended those expired guidelines and increased the required jail overtime to 18 of the 24 extra hours. The union argues this change in overtime rules — particularly the added jail shifts — was implemented without negotiation, violating labor laws.

It also states that the Maguire Correctional Facility, run by the sheriff’s office, typically operated with 25 to 32 deputies during the day and 25 to 30 at night. The county allegedly changed this by increasing staffing levels at some jails, including raising the number of deputies per shift at Maguire to 35.

The union contends that this increase in minimum staffing was also made without prior notice or discussion.

The association contends these actions violate state rules requiring public employers to bargain over such matters, infringing on deputies’ rights and the union’s ability to represent them.

The complaint echoes broader allegations of corruption, misconduct, and workplace harassment detailed in a 400-page independent audit conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell last year.

In a statement, the union said the labor board’s decision to advance the complaint “affirms the validity of our claims and marks a critical step forward in upholding workplace rights and accountability.”

Besides the overtime dispute, the union also claims Aenlle tried to weaken its leadership by suggesting deputies remove union leaders, directly communicating overtime information to deputies instead of through the union, and sending a threatening letter after the union filed its complaint and announced a no-confidence vote against Aenlle last year.

The union also alleges the sheriff retaliated against its president, Carlos Tapia, by arresting him and placing him on leave “due to his union activities” — actions the association contends are illegal. Tapia was arrested in November 2024 for alleged timecard fraud, but San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe declined to file charges.

Corpus’ office has not responded to requests for comment.

The complaint is the latest development in a growing scandal surrounding the sheriff, who faces mounting legal and political pressure. Earlier this month, she sued the county to compel the release of payment records related to Cordell’s investigation into her administration.

Corpus, the county’s first Latina sheriff, has rejected calls to resign. She maintains that the allegations against her are politically motivated and that Cordell’s investigation into her administration was biased and flawed.

A new San Mateo County Charter amendment took effect Friday, temporarily granting the board of supervisors authority to remove an elected sheriff until 2028 — a power approved by 84% of voters last month.

The board has also reviewed, but not yet adopted, a proposed 12-step removal process developed with guidance from the law firm Hanson Bridgett. The process could take at least 3½ months, not including time to appoint a successor if Corpus is ultimately removed.