AG Urges Court to Expedite Jim Reams Removal Case

Attorney General Joseph Foster filed pleadings in Superior Court on April 21 asking a judge to expedite the hearing on a petition to remove Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams from office.

The attorney general, with the Rockingham County Commissioners, filed the petition March 11 based on what the Attorney General describes as "allegations of ethical violations, financial mismanagement, and gender discrimination."

"A prompt ruling on this matter is critical to all parties," Foster said in a statement on the pleadings. "Our investigation revealed significant concerns, both for the fair administration of justice and for the business of the County. The Commissioners and this office are prepared to adjudicate this matter as soon as the Court's calendar permits."

Foster also filed a notice of appeal of the Superior Court's order in "James Reams v. Joseph A. Foster," in which the court held that the Attorney General's authority to suspend a County Attorney's prosecutorial authority is limited to circumstances where the County Attorney is being investigated or facing prosecution for a criminal act. 

Said Foster, "The Petition to Remove alleges serious misconduct on the part of County Attorney Reams--the chief law enforcement officer of the county--which directly impacts the public's confidence in the fair administration of justice. Although not criminal, I believe that the serious nature of the misconduct by someone in that position warrants suspension of his prosecutorial authority pending a full hearing. For that reason, I have authorized an appeal to the Supreme Court."

Reams, who is not running for re-election this fall, continues to fight the allegations in court.