Letter to fired Brunswick DSS director released, lists sexual harassment complaints

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BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Brunswick County released the letter the Department of Social Services Board sent to fired DSS director, James Orrock.

In the letter, which is eight pages long, Charles Warren, chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Social services, informed Orrock that he would be terminated from his position effective October 25.

Orrock had been placed on paid administrative leave since August 11 while an investigation was conducted into complaints against him.

Warren said the decision to fire Orrock was the result of a unanimous vote taken by the DSS Board on October 11.

The letter is centered around accusations against Orrock of "inappropriate comments of a sexual nature" as well as retaliation against employees who complained.

Several names of county employees have been blacked out of the letter for their protection and privacy. The letter details multiple reports of sexual harassment made by employees against Orrock.

In one instance, the letter stated Orrock was at a department Christmas party where a female employee was wearing deer antlers. According to the employee, Orrock said "Yes, I see that rack," and a short time later said, "I don't mean that rack," and looked at the employee's breasts.

The letter goes on to list at least half a dozen other instances of alleged sexual harassment by Orrock against multiple female employees.

Overall, the DSS Board concluded that Orrock engaged in illegal workplace sexual harassment and threatened retaliatory action against employees who filed complaints.

The letter concluded that as a result of Orrock's conduct, a hostile work environment exists within the Department of Social Services.

To read the full letter, click on .pdf file attached to this article.