In an announcement on behalf of the panel, Supervisor Ray Mueller said he learned late this afternoon that Sheriff Christina Corpus had fired Deputy Sheriff Ryan Monaghan. The termination, he noted, got here after Monaghan was interviewed by LaDoris Cordell, a former judge who was appointed to steer the investigation.

“The timing of the sheriff's intervention and the information provided by Assistant Sheriff Monaghan indicate possible retaliation against Assistant Sheriff Monaghan for his participation in Judge Cordell's independent investigation,” the statement said.

Corpus dismissed Mueller's testimony as “totally inappropriate” and “pure speculation.”

“He should know the facts before speaking out on such an important issue,” Corpus said in an announcement. “It seems like he is just trying to get attention, and this behavior is inappropriate, unprofessional and must stop.”

“When the people of San Mateo County elected me sheriff, they trusted me to decide who to put on my leadership staff,” Corpus said. “The coach puts the team together. Period.”

According to Mueller's testimony, Cordell was asked to research whether Monaghan was retaliated against.

“The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and the Board of Supervisors is prepared to take any legal action necessary to preserve the integrity of the independent investigation and protect other witnesses interviewed by Judge Cordell,” Mueller said. “The investigation will continue and will not be obstructed.”

Last week, the board announced it had authorized an independent investigation into “several personnel allegations” related to the sheriff's office. County officials declined to release details in regards to the investigation.

Meanwhile, unions representing local deputies and sergeants have publicly accused the sheriff's office leadership of making a toxic work environment and refusing to barter staffing increases and extra time requirements.

Union leaders say the blame lies largely with Corpus' chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. They claim Aenlle repeatedly verbally abused and demeaned union members and exceeded his civilian role by making decisions in regards to the duties of sworn employees.

Last week, 306 union members voted in favor of a vote of no confidence within the chief of staff, while 12 voted against. The sheriff's office has about 800 cops.

Corpus said in an announcement last week that the vote was “nothing more than a political ploy” by special interests to undermine its leadership and pressure it into personnel changes.

“It has no legal implications and changes nothing,” Corpus said. “I appointed my chief of staff and he will remain in that position.”

Diana Taurasi, who’s playing in her twentieth WNBA season, didn’t officially announce her retirement on Thursday night after the Phoenix Mercury's final game of the season against the Seattle Storm. But the Mercury icon hinted in her speech to the house crowd that her end may very well be imminent.

“If it's the last time, it felt like the first time,” Taurasi said as the group chanted “one more year.”

“I love you guys.”

Taurasi played 18 minutes on Thursday because the Mercury lost 89-70 to the Storm. She scored nine points, added one rebound and two assists. With 3:11 left within the fourth quarter, fans on the Footprint Center stood up and called for Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts to bring Taurasi back into the sport. The first-year coach complied. Taurasi returned to the sport, blew a kiss and clapped for the group, who showered her with cheers.

It was a 10-second curtain call for Mercury fans to point out their appreciation for a historic player in what may very well be her final home game. As Taurasi left the sphere, fans chanted, “One more year.”

Diana Taurasi is back and the group is having fun with every second of it

— WNBA (@WNBA) 20 September 2024

When the match ended, the lights within the seating areas dimmed while Taurasi stood within the highlight at center court. Before she addressed the group, a tribute video for Taurasi played on the screen above. It was the identical video that the Mercury social media account posted on X on Thursday afternoon, hinting at a possible announcement of her retirement.

Taurasi thanked town of Phoenix, a spot she called “home,” and praised her teammates and coaches, in addition to the fans who supported her profession.

Dear Dee –

Love,
We all pic.twitter.com/SnO1q10Fdp

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) 19 September 2024

“I want to thank every single coach, every single player, every single person that has put on a WNBA jersey because it takes a whole village,” Taurasi said. “For everyone who played before this league that is now where it is – we are grateful for you and we are grateful for the next generation.”

Several high-profile athletes and coaches attended what could also be Taurasi's final game, including four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird, world champion and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe, UConn coach Geno Auriemma, UConn coach Chris Dailey, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Damion Lee, small forward Josh Okogie and Taurasi's parents Mario and Lilliana.

If Taurasi's WNBA profession were to finish on Thursday, she would depart the game with a jam-packed resume. She has won three championships, is the league's all-time leading scorer, won six gold medals with Team USA and appeared within the WNBA All-Star Game 11 times. Her records include being the primary WNBA player to attain 10,000 profession points, being the oldest player within the NBA or WNBA to attain 40 points in a game and her total points (10,646 points).

The Mercury made the playoffs after missing the playoffs last 12 months for the primary time in a decade, but Thursday night was about Taurasi, her likely departure and a probability for the Phoenix crowd to have a good time considered one of the franchise's most completed players.

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