The Ontario County Board of Supervisors issued a public statement Wednesday firmly rejecting accusations by District Attorney Jim Ritts that a recent county investigation was corrupt or politically motivated.
The statement, released on July 23 by Board Chair Jared Simpson, comes in response to comments made by Ritts during a July 17 press conference. In it, the board defended its compliance program and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical governance.
“The Ontario County Compliance Program, including the establishment of two Compliance Investigator positions, was created in 2022 as part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in county operations,” the statement said said.
Simpson emphasized that the board “stands firmly behind the work of our Compliance Investigators, who carry out their duties with professionalism, objectivity, and integrity each day.”
The statement described the District Attorney’s remarks as “unfounded and inaccurate,” directly disputing the suggestion that the internal investigation was influenced by political motives.
Officials reiterated that the compliance initiative was designed to ensure all county employees—elected or appointed—are held to high standards. The board declared its full confidence in the individuals leading the program and its role in promoting “ethical and responsible governance.”
“We remain focused on ensuring the integrity of County government and the public’s continued trust in the institutions that serve them,” the board concluded.
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