Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts has filed a motion to appoint a special prosecutor in the criminal case of Michael Tapscott, a former Geneva police officer accused of selling drugs while on duty.
The move follows the disclosure of personal text messages exchanged between Tapscott and Jason MacBride—Ritts’ opponent in next month’s Republican primary for district attorney. MacBride said the messages included references to his campaign, including with the Geneva Police Department PBA endorsement.
“To ensure the community has confidence in the resolution of Tapscott’s case, free of any possible appearance of impropriety, prejudice, or politics, I must seek the appointment of a special prosecutor from outside Ontario County,” Ritts said in a statement Thursday.
Ritts said he was disappointed to hand off the case but noted that “prosecutorial ethics require me to take this action.”
MacBride, responding Thursday evening, said he has known Tapscott for many years and worked with him on several high-profile cases.
“When I announced my candidacy for district attorney, Officer Tapscott and countless other law enforcement members messaged me to welcome my decision,” MacBride said. “I am proud to have earned the endorsement of the Geneva Police Department PBA as well as the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office PBA.”
MacBride said he believes Ritts should have recused himself immediately after Tapscott’s arrest.
“There should be no disappointment in recusing oneself from this situation,” MacBride said. “In fact, recusal was the ethical responsibility that should have occurred immediately after Mr. Ritts learned of the arrest, not weeks or months later. Officer Tapscott is undoubtedly involved in a number of ongoing cases pending with Mr. Ritts’ office, and he owes it to the public to show no favoritism or retribution to an accused.”
He added: “Despite the lengthy delay, I am glad Mr. Ritts finally decided to do the right thing and have an impartial and competent district attorney handle Officer Tapscott’s matter.”
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