California Supreme Court to Review Suspension of Former D.A. Michael Ramos

I. A Long-Running Corruption Battle Reignites

Michael Ramos, the former district attorney of San Bernardino County, has agreed to a six-month suspension from practicing law in California after allegedly destroying evidence tied to one of the region’s most contentious public-corruption prosecutions. The California State Bar disclosed the agreement in a statement to The Los Angeles Times.

The suspension traces back to the decade-long saga surrounding Colonies Partners, a Rancho Cucamonga–based developer investor group, and several county officials accused in 2011 of orchestrating a bribery scheme connected to a land-use settlement. In 2006, county supervisors voted 3–2 to approve a deal with Colonies over objections from county attorneys—an early signal that the dispute would spiral into political and legal turmoil.

II. Collapse of the Case and Legal Repercussions

The corruption case unraveled in 2017 when three of the four defendants were acquitted and charges against the remaining defendant were dismissed later that year. In the aftermath, multiple litigants accused Ramos and his office of misconduct, claiming the prosecutions were driven by political motives rather than evidence.

By 2018, Colonies defendants sued the county, alleging “retaliatory, malicious, or politically motivated investigations and prosecutions.” Ramos lost his reelection bid the same year, marking a dramatic shift in the county’s political landscape.

III. Evidence Destruction Allegations Emerge

During the discovery phase of subsequent civil lawsuits, Ramos’ handling of required documents became a central issue. According to the agreement he signed with the State Bar, he deleted emails sent to his campaign account and erased text messages that were subject to preservation orders.

A U.S. magistrate judge ruled in 2020 that Ramos had a legal obligation to retain those records and dismissed his explanations as unacceptable. Larson LLP—counsel for Colonies—called the findings a serious breach.

“It is shocking that any lawyer, particularly one serving as District Attorney, would act in ‘bad faith’ and destroy evidence relevant to an ongoing litigation,” wrote attorney Stephen Larson, who also accused Ramos of “political persecution” and concealing “nefarious conduct.”

Ramos did not respond to requests for comment. He is listed as a faculty member at UC Riverside.

IV. The Path to Suspension

The State Bar Court has approved the negotiated six-month suspension, which is now pending review before the California Supreme Court. If upheld, Ramos will be temporarily barred from practicing law in the state.

State Bar Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona issued a pointed statement underscoring the significance of holding prosecutors to strict ethical standards:

“Prosecutors wield tremendous authority and discretion, and with that comes a heightened responsibility to adhere to the ethical standards of the legal profession. This stipulated discipline, if approved by the California Supreme Court, reinforces the State Bar’s commitment to ensuring that those who violate the rules governing attorney conduct—regardless of their title or position—are held responsible.”

V. Why This Matters

For a former district attorney to face disciplinary action for evidence destruction is highly uncommon—and it raises enduring questions about prosecutorial power, political influence, and accountability in California’s legal system. As the state Supreme Court evaluates the proposed suspension, the case continues to reverberate across legal and political circles.