Michael Ramos admits to grossly negligent misconduct in the Colonies Partners case, agreeing to a six-month suspension and two-year probation under a State Bar stipulation
Los Angeles, California (High Desert News Online) – Former San Bernardino DA Michael Ramos faces a six-month suspension from practicing law after agreeing to stipulated discipline with the California State Bar for destroying evidence in the high-profile Colonies Partners case, marking a rare admission of culpability by a long-serving prosecutor.
Disciplinary Agreement and Allegations
Michael Ramos, who led the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office from 2002 to 2018, entered into a pre-filing stipulation with the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel, admitting to grossly negligent misconduct and an act of moral turpitude. Ramos’s agreement follows an investigation into his handling of the Colonies Partners L.P. v. County of San Bernardino litigation, where he admitted to deleting emails and text messages after opposing counsel issued formal discovery requests.
Ramos used a campaign email account and a personal cellphone to discuss the Colonies corruption investigation—communications that the State Bar Court found to be relevant evidence. After the federal civil case commenced, he acknowledged destroying materials with evidentiary value that he was legally obligated to preserve, thereby suppressing evidence in violation of ethical rules governing attorney conduct.
According to the stipulation filed with the California Supreme Court on April 23, 2025, Ramos’s conduct met the threshold for moral turpitude, a serious charge that reflects dishonesty or deceit by an attorney. The Bar’s admission of this charge underscores the gravity of intentional evidence destruction by a public prosecutor.
Details of the Misconduct
The Colonies Partners case centered on allegations of public corruption and bribery related to a land-use dispute, culminating in a $102 million civil judgment against San Bernardino County. While the criminal prosecution ultimately collapsed, the subsequent civil litigation became the focus of discovery battles over internal communications and campaign materials.
Ramos communicated about investigative strategy and case developments via a non-official email address, which was not properly preserved under the County’s record-retention policies. After litigation started, he deleted dozens of emails and text threads, actions the Bar found to be both grossly negligent and deliberate in the face of discovery obligations.
The State Bar Court’s decision detailed that Ramos had over 29 years of unblemished practice before this incident, making the disciplinary action particularly notable given his previously clean record. In accepting the stipulation, Ramos waived any right to contest the findings, accelerating the discipline process.
Stipulated Discipline and Next Steps
Under the stipulation agreement, Ramos will serve an actual six-month suspension from the practice of law, followed by a two-year stayed suspension and two years of probation, pending compliance with several conditions. He must complete the State Bar’s Ethics School, re-take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), and pay $2,494 in disciplinary costs.
The case now awaits final approval by the California Supreme Court, which has the authority to impose, modify, or reject the recommended discipline. If approved, Ramos’s law license will be formally suspended on a date set by the Court, and his probationary terms will be monitored by the State Bar’s Office of Probation.
Ramos’s decision to stipulate likely reflects a strategic choice to avoid a protracted, public disciplinary trial. By admitting culpability and agreeing to the sanction, he retains the possibility of returning to practice after fulfilling the stipulated conditions.
Impact on the High Desert Community
High Desert residents recall Ramos’s tenure as marked by aggressive prosecutions in the Colonies saga and other high-profile cases. The announced suspension has reignited debate over prosecutorial accountability and the balance between political considerations and ethical obligations in County leadership.
Many in the High Desert view the suspension as a necessary check on prosecutorial power, especially given the political fallout and costly settlements that followed Ramos’s investigations. Victim-advocates emphasize that destroying evidence undermines public trust and can cause additional harm to communities seeking justice.
Local officials have yet to comment formally on how the suspension might affect ongoing legal reforms in San Bernardino County, including proposals to strengthen record-retention and transparency in the DA’s office. Community groups are now calling for legislative action to tighten ethical oversight of elected prosecutors.
Reaction from Officials and Advocates
Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona of the State Bar stressed the message this discipline sends: “Prosecutors wield tremendous authority and discretion, and with that comes a heightened responsibility to adhere to the ethical standards of the legal profession,” reflecting the Bar’s commitment to accountability.
Local defense attorneys see the stipulation as a landmark moment. One practitioner noted, “When a long-time DA admits to moral turpitude, it sets an important precedent for future misconduct cases,” highlighting the potential deterrent effect on other officials.
Meanwhile, former Colonies Partners litigants have expressed cautious optimism that such accountability could prevent similar controversies. “This discipline, while late, shows that even powerful prosecutors are not above the rules,” said a representative of Colonies Partners.
