As an investigative journalist dedicated to exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable, I’ve recently uncovered a troubling pattern of behavior within the Erie County Prosecutor’s Office. What started as a routine review of public records has revealed a potential web of nepotism, misuse of authority, and violations of Ohio Ethics Laws—all centered around Erie County Prosecutor Kevin J. Baxter and Assistant Prosecutors Vicki Palmer and her daughter, Kristin Rachel Palmer. Today, I’m sharing the results of my investigation, which I’ve formally submitted as a complaint to the Ohio Ethics Commission. This isn’t just a story about one office—it’s a cautionary tale about how personal connections can undermine the public trust we place in our justice system.

The Players: A Family Affair in the Prosecutor’s Office

Let’s start with the key figures. Kevin J. Baxter has served as Erie County Prosecutor for years, overseeing a team that includes Vicki Palmer, a veteran Assistant Prosecutor who joined the office in January 2001 after more than a decade at the Erie County Family Court. Vicki retired from full-time work on January 31, 2020, only to return part-time just two months later on April 1, 2020—a move she outlined in an email to Baxter dated October 22, 2019. Then there’s Kristin Rachel Palmer, Vicki’s daughter, who was hired as an Assistant Prosecutor with a start date of February 3, 2020—conveniently just days after her mother’s retirement.

The timing alone raises eyebrows, but the deeper I dug, the more troubling the details became. Public records show Kristin was employed nearly a year before her admission to the Ohio Bar on January 13, 2021, via a process called “admission by motion” rather than the standard bar exam. A memo from Brenda Oeder to Matt Wilson dated January 30, 2020, confirms her hiring, while an NCBE employment verification from April 2020 lists her as “Assistant Prosecutor (Pending Admission).” This suggests she was working in a legal role before being fully qualified to practice in Ohio—a red flag that demands explanation.

A Timeline That Smells Like Favoritism

The sequence of events is hard to ignore. On October 22, 2019, Vicki Palmer emailed Baxter about her retirement plans and her intent to return part-time after the mandatory 60-day separation period. She stepped away on January 31, 2020, and by February 3—just three days later—her daughter Kristin was on the payroll. It’s a transition so seamless it feels orchestrated. Did Vicki leverage her 19-year tenure and close professional relationship with Baxter to secure a cushy job for her daughter? And did Baxter, as the hiring authority, greenlight this arrangement as a favor to his long-time subordinate?

Adding to the suspicion, there’s no evidence of a competitive hiring process for Kristin’s position—no job postings, no interview records, nothing to suggest her appointment was anything but a done deal. For a public office that’s supposed to operate with transparency and fairness, this opacity is alarming.

The Legal Violations: Breaking Down Ohio Ethics Laws

This isn’t just about questionable optics—it’s about potential violations of Ohio law. Based on my findings, I’ve identified several statutes that Baxter, Vicki, and Kristin may have breached:

R.C. 102.03(D) – Misusing Public Office for Personal Gain

Baxter’s decision to hire Kristin smells like a textbook misuse of his authority. By employing Vicki’s daughter right after her retirement, he may have handed Vicki a valuable personal benefit—job security for her child—using his position as Prosecutor. That’s not just favoritism; it’s a betrayal of his duty to act impartially.

R.C. 102.03(E) – Conflicts of Interest

Vicki Palmer stands to gain personally from her daughter’s employment in the same office where she’s worked for decades. Did she push for Kristin’s hiring, knowing her influence with Baxter could make it happen? And Kristin, by accepting the role, may have willingly stepped into a conflict of interest tied to her mother’s tenure.

R.C. 2921.42(A)(1) – Nepotism in Public Contracts

Kristin’s employment agreement is a public contract, and Vicki, as a public official in the same office, has a clear familial interest in it. Baxter’s approval of this setup, despite knowing their relationship, could violate Ohio’s anti-nepotism laws. A Retention Agreement from 2023-2024, paying Kristin $6,200, only deepens the entanglement.

R.C. 2921.43(A)(1) – Improper Compensation

If Vicki used her position to secure Kristin’s job, that’s an indirect perk beyond her lawful salary—a form of improper compensation. Baxter’s complicity in this arrangement makes him equally culpable.

R.C. 102.03(A)(1) – Misusing Confidential Information

Did Vicki exploit insider knowledge—like staffing needs or Baxter’s hiring habits—gained over 19 years to pave the way for Kristin? While the records don’t explicitly prove this, the circumstantial evidence is compelling enough to warrant scrutiny.

The Evidence: Connecting the Dots

The public records I’ve obtained paint a damning picture. The tight timeline between Vicki’s retirement and Kristin’s hiring isn’t a coincidence—it’s a signal. Kristin’s employment before her Ohio Bar admission, coupled with her “admission by motion” status, suggests her role was less about merit and more about convenience for her family. And the lack of transparency—no sign of a job search or oversight—reeks of an inside deal. Even Kristin’s Retention Agreement, locking her into the office through 2024, hints at a long-term plan to keep the Palmer family on the payroll.

Why This Matters: A Breach of Public Trust

This isn’t just about three people—it’s about the integrity of the Erie County Prosecutor’s Office. When a prosecutor hires his assistant’s daughter under dubious circumstances, it undermines faith in the justice system. Qualified candidates who might have applied for Kristin’s job were sidelined, and taxpayers are left funding what looks like a family favor. If these violations are proven, they could carry serious penalties under Ohio law, from fines to removal from office.

Calling for Accountability

That’s why I’ve filed a formal complaint with the Ohio Ethics Commission, urging them to investigate. I’m asking them to dig into the hiring process, scrutinize Vicki and Baxter’s communications, and assess whether Kristin’s pre-admission employment was legal. The Commission has the power to impose sanctions if these allegations hold up, and I believe they must act to restore trust in Erie County.

Conclusion: Shining a Light on the Shadows

As an investigative journalist, my job is to uncover the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. The case of Kevin J. Baxter, Vicki Palmer, and Kristin Rachel Palmer is a stark reminder that power can be abused even in the places we least expect—like a prosecutor’s office tasked with upholding justice. I’ll continue tracking this story and sharing updates on The Exposer. In the meantime, I invite you to join me in demanding accountability. If you have tips or information related to this case, reach out—I’m all ears.

Charles Tingler is an investigative journalist based in Defiance, Ohio. Contact him at charlesltingler1991@gmail.com or 419.890.3625. Follow his work at www.the-exposer.com.