Blevins removal petition could be heard by mid-June
by May 27, 2011 8:58 am 59 views
It could be as early as mid- to late-June when Arkansas Supreme Court appoints a special judge to consider the petition for removal of Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins.
On May 19, Fort Smith attorney David Dunagin filed a petition with the county seeking Blevins’ removal. In his petition, Dunagin said it is in the “best interests” of the county for the six judges in the Circuit to remove Blevins.
A three member Sebastian County grievance committee — Tom Cannava, Lisa Sellers and H.B. Stewart — ruled May 12 that Blevins sexually harassed office employees and created a hostile work environment. But the ruling was hollow in that it the grievance committee has no enforcement power against an elected official.
The grievance hearing was called by Sebastian County Judge David Hudson after several complaints were filed against Blevins detailing alleged acts of harassment and retaliation.
Abe Bogoslavsky, the attorney representing Blevins, has asked the court to dismiss Dunagin’s petition. Bogoslavsky argues that the law allows Blevins to be removed only for criminal misconduct.
The six judges of the Sebastian County Circuit Court recused themselves, and Judge Michael Fitzhugh has asked Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah for a special judge to oversee the case.
“It is anticipated that this matter could be heard in one day,” Fitzhugh noted in the letter.
The Administrative Office of the Courts will search for a qualified sitting or retired judge to hear the petition. When Justice Hannah approves a selection, the courts will then schedule a hearing.
An employee of the Supreme Court said the office typically moves quick to find special judges, and that it a mid- or late-June appointment is reasonable.