Carlos Tapia, president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, turned himself in Tuesday afternoon on charges that include felony grand theft, according to a statement from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department.

Tapia surrendered at around 1 p.m. According to a video released by the union, he was not in handcuffs but was accompanied by several people, including family members.

“Carlos Tapia was arrested by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for felony grand theft and theft by false pretenses. He was booked into a San Mateo County Correctional Facility and has since been released on bond,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “As is standard protocol, Tapia has been placed on administrative leave while the criminal investigation continues. The case will be forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.”

Earlier this year, Tapia was one of many rank-and-file officers who spoke out against the sheriff’s department, accusing leadership of fostering a work environment marked by “unease and retaliation” and refusing to address staffing shortages and overtime demands.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus on Tuesday declined to address specifics about the complaint against Tapia but said, “I will not turn a blind eye when credible evidence supports that a crime has been committed, whether it be a member of the public or a trusted member of our office.”

She also denied allegations that the arrest was in retaliation for the investigation of alleged misconduct into her office.

“There has been speculation and concern regarding potential conflicts of interest involving internal and external figures who have been vocal about the inquiry,” Corpus said. “My focus remains on enforcing the law with fairness and impartiality regardless of who is involved.”

Tapia also spoke to reporters about his arrest Tuesday afternoon.

“I will not tolerate the sheriff’s abuse of our authority, and retaliation against our union,” Tapia said outside the San Mateo County building, declining to speak about the specifics of the complaints against him. “I will continue to faithfully represent the interests of our union members, and I look forward to the district attorney’s review of this investigation, and I’m confident I will be vindicated.”

Corpus claimed to have “consulted” with San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. However, Wagstaffe told this news organization that he was notified of the arrest only on Tuesday.

“We were notified of Tapia’s arrest by the sheriff, but we have not yet received the complaint,” Wagstaffe said. “We will review the case once it’s received.”

Sean Harper, a sergeant with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and board member of the Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants, told reporters that Tapia’s arrest bears “all the earmarks of whistleblower retaliation.”

“This is especially true given retired Judge Ladoris Cordell’s investigative report on the DSA’s complaint against civilian Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle,” Harper said.

Harper was referring to an independent investigation led by Cordell, who was asked to examine the union’s allegations of misconduct and alleged corruption against Corpus and Aenlle earlier this year.

Tapia’s arrest and Corpus’ press conference on Tuesday coincided with the planned public release of Cordell’s 450-page investigation.

San Mateo County Supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo held a press conference to discuss Cordell’s findings.

“Judge Cordell’s independent investigation contains findings that are unprecedented in the history of San Mateo County,” Mueller said. “The sheriff and her chief of staff’s (Aenlle) reprehensible conduct demands full transparency and immediate action. The Board of Supervisors is committed to addressing these issues to the fullest extent permitted under California law.”

Among Cordell’s key findings was that Corpus and Aenlle had a “personal relationship” that creates a “conflict of interest,” that Aenlle “exceeded and/or abused his authority with the approval of Sheriff Corpus,” and that Corpus, Aenlle and the sheriff’s “executive team” engaged in retaliation and intimidation.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon in a special session to discuss what action the county may take against Corpus, including a possible resolution calling for her censure or resignation.

Although the county board cannot legally remove Corpus on its own, Mueller said, “it is my belief this report lays out the case clearly. Sheriff Corpus’ tenure must come to an end, whether by resignation or removal.”