Commissioners state concerns over departure of Chief Assistant Prosecutor By Jim Measel Jun 3, 2021 | 11:24 AM COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) â The Branch County Board of Commissioners brought a request from Prosecutor Zach Stempien to fill the Chief Assistant Prosecutors position forward during their Thursday work session but not before Commissioners Tom Mathew and Tim Stoll expressed some concerns after Val Whiteâs sudden departure from the Prosecutors Office. Stempien said last Friday that White had been ârelieved of her duties.â He declined to offer a reason at that time behind the decision to let White go. When Mathew asked for details why she left on Thursday, Stempien told Commissioners the move was made for the betterment of the office.