[1][7] In April 2007, Bolanos and Sheriff Greg Munks were found at a suspected illegal brothel in Las Vegas by the local police.
[2] On July 12, 2016, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to appoint Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos to serve the remainder of the term.
In July 2022, KGO-TV ABC 7 news reported that Bolanos sent four staff members to Indiana to investigate the only licensed maker of replica Batmobile vehicles.
[11] The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors launched a probe to answer allegations that Bolanos directed the raid inappropriately as a favor to Anagnostou.
[14] In December 2022, KGO-TV ABC 7 news reported a disparity in concealed carry weapons (CCW) permits awarded by the Sheriff's office based on whether the applicant donated to Bolanos's election campaign.
The investigation found that at least 39 people did not complete the public firearms training course, and most received special accommodations or private sessions, including billionaires Larry Ellison, Thomas Siebel, and Riley P. Bechtel.