Michael Ramos, the previous district legal professional for San Bernardino County, has agreed to a six-month suspension from practising regulation in California after allegedly destroying proof in a 2017 corruption case, the California State Bar mentioned in a press release to The Occasions.
The case concerned corruption costs towards three San Bernardino County officers and a developer who was a managing director of Rancho Cucamonga-based investor group Colonies Companions.
The 4 have been indicted in 2011 on a number of costs stemming from a land dispute between the county and Colonies Companions.
Prosecutors alleged that the 4 males participated in a bribery scheme years prior designed to settle the dispute in favor of the corporate. In 2006, county supervisors voted 3 to 2 to settle with Colonies, over the objection of county authorized employees.
In the end, three of the 4 defendants have been acquitted in 2017, and costs have been dropped towards the fourth later that yr. A number of events filed lawsuits towards Ramos, alleging misconduct in the course of the corruption case.
The subsequent yr, the Colonies defendants sued the county for allegedly participating in “retaliatory, malicious, or politically motivated investigations and prosecutions, together with failed felony motion towards the assorted plaintiffs.” Ramos misplaced his bid for reelection later in 2018.
The lawsuit’s discovery section sought Ramos’ written communications, however he had deleted the emails directed to his marketing campaign tackle in addition to his texts messages, in accordance with the settlement signed by Ramos and the State Bar.
In 2020, a U.S. Justice of the Peace choose concluded that Ramos “had an obligation to protect emails and textual content messages and located his excuses for not doing so unacceptable,” in accordance with Larson LLP, a agency that represented Colonies.
“It’s surprising that any lawyer, notably one serving as District Lawyer, would act in ‘unhealthy religion’ and destroy proof related to an on-going litigation,” wrote Stephen Larson of Larson LLP.
Larson accused Ramos of “political persecution,” saying that he “destroyed proof of his nefarious conduct.”
Ramos didn’t reply to request for remark. He’s listed as a college member at UC Riverside.
The suspension settlement was accepted by the State Bar Courtroom and despatched to the California Supreme Courtroom, which has but to approve the proposed settlement.
“Prosecutors wield large authority and discretion, and with that comes a heightened duty to stick to the moral requirements of the authorized occupation,” mentioned State Bar Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona. “This stipulated self-discipline, if accepted by the California Supreme Courtroom, reinforces the State Bar’s dedication to making sure that those that violate the principles governing legal professional conduct — no matter their title or place — are held accountable.”
