Portsmouth Lawmaker: Jim Reams 'Hostile' to Women

State Rep. Laura Pantelakos (D-Portsmouth) said she wasn't surprised by the news Thursday that Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams was suspended amid a probe of how he ran his office.

Pantelakos said last year she heard from former women who worked for Reams and claimed he fostered a "hostile work environment." For example, she said one woman who went on maternity leave returned to find her desk was gone.

"It was hostile all the time," she said. "(Women) were treated very badly."

Pantelakos said the women were not sexually harassed.

Three women had enough and resigned, Pantelakos said.

Reams, a Republican, could not be reached for comment. He spoke to the Eagle-Tribune and when asked about the investigation said, "I don't know what's going on."

Attorney General Joseph Foster said his office launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a former employee about "managerial and operational issues" at Reams' office.

"The allegations were significant," Foster said, declining to elaborate.

Foster has not said if the investigation is related to the claims cited by Pantelakos.

Reams and Deputy County Attorney Tom Reid were suspended, Foster announced Thursday.

Pantelakos said she previously told the Rockingham County commissioners about Reams' alleged misconduct.

"I'm very happy he was suspended," she said. "I'm just glad it's out in the open."

Reams has been the Rockingham County Attorney since 1998.