Rockingham County Attorney Accused Of Harassment Returns To Work

BOSTON (CBS) - After six months off the job, Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams has been allowed to go back to work while he awaits his own trial.

"If I was concerned about it I wouldn't be sitting here today," said Reams. "They've been demanding my resignation since November and I told them no."

The New Hampshire Attorney General's office is trying to remove Reams from his elected position, calling his behavior "unacceptable" and accusing him of everything from financial mismanagement to discrimination against pregnant employees.

"Nobody was ever discriminated against because they were pregnant," said Reams. "We've had dozens and dozens of children born in this office since I've been county attorney."

A scathing report from the Attorney General's office says some workers called him "creepy Uncle Jim" for inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment.

Reams denies any wrongdoing.

"Never happened," said Reams. "Absolutely never happened. That's the stuff that if I did it I would not put my family through this but I didn't do it and they can't prove that I did it."

Reams, who was greeted with a "Welcome Home Jim" sign when he came back to work Wednesday says most of the people who complained no longer work in the office and for the ones that remain they're focusing on the caseload at hand.

He has not been charged with any crime.

The Attorney General's Office goes to court in August to remove Reams from his position.

Whatever the judge rules at the trial, Reams says he is not running for re-election. His term ends in January.

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