Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts has announced he will retire on October 10, after more than two decades in the DA’s office and nearly eight years as the county’s top prosecutor.
Ritts had previously signaled plans to seek reelection on a different political line after losing the Republican primary to challenger Jason MacBride in June. His campaign was overshadowed by controversy surrounding “Fall Fest” 2024, when DA’s office employees were found to have consumed alcohol in a county courtroom, a violation of county policy.
In making his retirement date official, Ritts told 13 WHAM that personal reasons, including the desire to spend more time with his wife and son, were behind his decision. “I’m healthy, but just realizing that life is short,” he said. “Taking this time to spend with my wife, who has certainly sacrificed for the last 26 years, and spend more time with our son, will be a nice thing to do.”
Ritts said the timing will allow him to complete cases and support participants in treatment court before stepping down. He also noted that most of his staff will be departing as well.
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