Joan Harris says she was wrongfully terminated, witnessed harassment

A woman who says she was one of "Leopold's Angels" is speaking out about what she saw while working for the Anne Arundel County Executive.

John Leopold is facing criminal charges and civil lawsuits and now one of the women who worked in his office has decided to speak out.

Joan Harris says, "I saw things that I thought were wrong and she needed help with her case." Harris says she initially spoke up to help Karla Hamner, another woman in the office. Hamner's lawsuit claims gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation. Harris says she was targeted for helping Hamner. "I stopped getting assignments, he stopped assigning things to me," says Harris.

Harris says once she started talking with Hamner's attorney, her bosses started keeping closer tabs on her. She says, "Spying, they were spying on me."

Hours after Leopold won the election in November 2010, Harris says she was fired. "It was wrongful termination because I was assisting another person in talking to their attorney to try and get her information. It was clear retaliation," she says.

Harris initially filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She eventually filed a lawsuit in March 2012.

Harris says the legal process will take months, if not years, and she says the citizens of Anne Arundel County deserve better. She says, "He should resign. It's not fair for the citizens of this county."

We have reached out to John Leopold's spokesperson tonight. They said they will not comment on this story.