Former top San Mateo sheriff's aide files federal civil rights lawsuit against county

"Victor Aenlle, the former chief of staff to Sheriff Christina Corpus who faces multiple efforts to remove her from office has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against San Mateo County, County Executive Officer Michael Callagy and other top officials. The suit alleges retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, and abuse of power. The lawsuit, announced Thursday by his attorneys at the Fellner Law Group in San Francisco, claims county officials illegally targeted and fired Aenlle last year for supporting Corpus, the county's first Latina sheriff."

"The 114-page complaint alleges county officials relied on code enforcement, illegal searches, and false reports to harass and intimidate Aenlle before wrongfully terminating him. According to a news release from Fellner Law, the lawsuit seeks accountability for alleged violations of Aenlle's constitutional rights. Those include the First Amendment right to free speech, the Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful searches and seizures, and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of due process and equal protection."

"This case is about standing up for the fundamental rights of every American free speech, due process, and equal protection under the law, Aenlle said in a statement. If they can do this to me, they can do it to anyone. Aenlle has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Corpus and of usurping her authority. Both deny the allegations, saying their relationship was strictly professional and that hiring civilians to executive roles is not unusual."

Victor Aenlle, former chief of staff to Sheriff Christina Corpus, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against San Mateo County, the County Executive Officer, and other officials. The complaint alleges retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, and abuse of power tied to Aenlle's support of Corpus. The 114-page suit claims officials used code enforcement, illegal searches, and false reports to harass and intimidate before terminating him. The lawsuit asserts violations of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments seeking accountability for alleged infringements on free speech, protection against unlawful searches, due process, and equal protection.

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