WINDHAM — Former county prosecutor and Windham Selectman Ross McLeod is facing witness tampering allegations in connection with a fantasy football investigation started last winter.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's office executed a search warrant on McLeod's Nottingham Road home and three vehicles Wednesday, seizing a laptop computer and a cell phone, according to court documents.

The witness tampering investigation is an offshoot of the fantasy football investigation launched in February at the request of the Hillsborough County Attorney's office where McLeod had worked as a prosecutor, according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young. She would not comment on details of the case.

The most recent investigation involves contact with fantasy football league members who were potential witnesses in the investigation.

In an affidavit supporting the search warrant application, Attorney General Investigator Allison Vachon says that fantasy football participant Ival Shields told her that McLeod sent an email informing the group of the investigation and advising them not to respond to anyone if contacted.

The affidavit also cites a second email from participant Hamid Ohadi concerned because he hadn't been able to reach McLeod and had received an email from McLeod's lawyer stating that members of the fantasy football league may be contacted and should cooperate.

McLeod's attorney Rusty Chadwick said he was aware of the Attorney General's investigation and has been having conversations with the Attorney General's office.

“We have said from the beginning nothing would come of the fantasy football investigation and we are hopeful nothing comes of this,” Chadwick said.

McLeod had no plans to resign from Windham's Board of Selectmen as of Friday afternoon, Chadwick said. Given that the fantasy football investigation has not resulted in “anything close to criminal charges”, Chadwick said he hoped people would give McLeod the benefit of the doubt before coming to any conclusions.

“The last time I checked we still have a Constitution that guarantees everybody the presumption of innocence,” Chadwick said.

Bruce Breton, chairman of selectmen, said the situation takes away from all the good work that the board is trying to do.

“Ross should resign and concentrate on the matters that he has in front of him,” Breton said.

The original investigation was touched off by a right-to-know request for McLeod's email submitted by Corey Lewandowski, the state director of Americans for Prosperity, an advocacy group for free market and limited government. The request was made during the town's election season, leading to speculation that it was politically motivated. Lewandowski was running for town treasurer and McLeod was running for reelection to the board of selectmen.

Lewandowski maintains that his actions were not a political attack, but an attempt to ensure that public resources weren't being abused.

The latest investigation has Lewandowski questioning whether McLeod should remain as a selectman.

“This really calls to attention his capability to continue to serve,” Lewandowski said.

The fact that the Attorney General believed he had probable cause to search McLeod's home and property leads Lewandowski to believe that the new allegations are serious enough that McLeod should resign his position on the board and use his time to focus on his legal issues, he said.

Selectman Kathleen DiFruscia doesn't think McLeod should resign.

“During my service on the board of selectmen I have found Ross to be an exemplary public servant. In our work together at DiFruscia Law Offices he's been a valuable asset to our firm and conducted himself with professionalism and integrity. In my opinion the latest accusations are an unfortunate by-product of local politics,” DiFruscia said. “I encourage Ross not to step down from the board of selectmen.”

Selectman Phil Lochiatto had no comment. Selectman Roger Hohenberger was not available for comment.

jhanson@newstote.com