Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts addressed growing controversy Thursday during a press conference tied to an Election Day party held at his office last year.
According to an internal county report, the annual event—known as “Fall Fest”—extended beyond the DA’s office into a jury room and courtroom, where alcohol was present.
Ritts, who is seeking re-election, said he was unaware that alcohol had been brought into courtrooms and rejected claims that the gathering was inappropriate. He used the press conference to push back against accusations from fellow Republican and former prosecutor Jason MacBride, calling them false and politically motivated.
MacBride secured the Republican nomination for Ontario County District Attorney, defeating Ritts last month in a tightly contested primary.
“Jason MacBride has not told the truth about his role in Fall Fest and his involvement,” Ritts said, while presenting photos he claimed showed MacBride taking part in previous Fall Fest events. “His entire campaign about wanting to ‘restore integrity’ to the DA’s office is a revisionist version of events. The residents of Ontario County deserve to know the difference between what happens behind closed doors and what he says when the cameras are rolling.”
MacBride has denied engaging in any misconduct, saying he did not participate in inappropriate behavior during Fall Fest. He criticized the culture of the office under Ritts’ leadership, saying the issues go beyond a single event.
He released the following statement:
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