Suspended Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams is one step closer to getting his job back. On Thursday, the Supreme Court decided for now, it will not hear the state’s appeal in a lawsuit seeking to return him to office.
Reams and his attorney will likely return to court next week to argue that the Supreme Court’s decision lifts a previous lower-court order continuing his suspension.
Foster suspended Reams from his elected post in November and opened an investigation. In March, the investigation concluded with allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination and misuse of public money. No criminal charges were made.
Earlier this month, a lower court ruled that Foster did not have the authority to suspend Reams. The AG’s office appealed to the Supreme Court, requesting a stay to protect Reams’ employees who spoke against him from retribution.
If the Superior court does not intervene, Reams -- who is accused with inappropriately touching female employees, and retaliating against an staffer for getting pregnant – may be able to return to his post as Rockingham County’s top prosecutor.