Newly appointed Mariposa County District Attorney speaks out following former DA's scandal

MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Walter Wall is back at the helm as District Attorney in Mariposa County.

As of Thursday, he stepped down from his duties as County Council to take on the job full-time.

This comes after former DA Michael McAfee suddenly resigned.

McAfee is now under investigation by the California Attorney General, as bombshell allegations reported by the Mariposa Gazette claim that he bought methamphetamine dozens of times.

"The person that runs the office has to live within the law. None of us is greater than the law," says Wall.

RELATED: Former Mariposa County District Attorney under investigation by CA Attorney General

Wall formerly held the DA position himself, he says, making him uniquely qualified to take on the role in this difficult time.

"How do you plan to regain trust with people here in Mariposa County? Step-by-step, day by day, person by person, case by case," says Wall.

McAfee has expressed interest in sharing his side of the story with Action News but has yet to go on record.

During Friday's press conference, Wall steered clear of questions regarding any ongoing investigations into McAfee.

"It's not my role to pass judgment on Michael McAfee, so I don't really want to say anything one way or another, negative or perceived as negative, and any knowledge I might have on any investigation is something I can't share with the public," says Wall.

The scandal, the first of its kind for the County. Wall says moving forward, he plans to be diligent in reviewing cases touched by McAfee.

"When our public institutions of law and order are shaken. It shakes it all the way down to the foundation. I'm gonna have to look at every single case that was prosecuted in our office over the last few years to make sure that each one is done correctly," says Wall.

Wall did say he plans to officially run for the position during a special election in June of 2026.

Action News did speak with Mr. McAfee on the phone on Friday, but he continues to have no comment at this time.

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