COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Ralph Kimble has agreed to resign as Branch County Prosecutor after working out an agreement with the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission which included a six month suspension from practicing law.
The Attorney Grievance Commission was scheduled to hold a three day hearing in Kalamazoo starting on Tuesday to consider allegations of misconduct, which included sexual harassment, that were filed in a 14 page report against Kimble.
As a licensed attorney in Michigan, Kimble is subject to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Attorney Discipline Board.
Kimble had been denying the allegations made against him by several female courthouse employees.
He agreed in a Stipulation for Consent Order of Suspension signed on Wednesday to plea no contest to the Commission to two of the accusations that were filed in an amended formal complaint. He also admitted “to the factual and the allegations of professional misconduct” set forth in the other six counts
The six month suspension will take effect 21 days after the order is served to him.
Under terms of the sanctions, it was determined Kimble violated duties owed to the public and that his conduct caused injury or potential injury to the witnesses.
The Stipulation for Consent Order of Suspension is subject to approval by the Attorney Discipline Board.
Kimble was first elected to the Prosecutor’s Office in 2012 and ran unopposed when he was elected to a second term in 2016.
Under Michigan law, the vacancy will have to be filled by an appointment made by Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady.
