Problems continue for Sebastian County Circuit Clerk

The conflict continues within the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk’s office, with a possible federal investigation looming and a new complaint filed Friday against Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins.

On May 12, a three-member Sebastian County grievance committee ruled that Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins sexually harassed office employees and created a hostile work environment. But the ruling was hollow in that 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.

Six employees of the Circuit Clerks office filed grievance hearing requests with Hudson in which they summarized several months of behavior from Blevins that included:
• Frequent inappropriate touching;
• Frequent inappropriate comments of a sexual nature;
• Retaliation against employees who complained;
• Moving employees to different jobs without adequate time to train;
• Sharing details of employee counseling sessions with other employees; and,
• Wage discrimination.

Primary complainants in the case are Tyanna Caldwell, Jean Austin and Lynsey Shockley.

Following the grievance hearing, Fort Smith attorney David Dunagin filed an action seeking the removal of Blevins from office. All six Sebastian County Circuit Court Judges recused themselves from hearing the case. The Arkansas Supreme Court appointed Miller County Circuit Court Judge Kirk Johnson to the case.

In addition to that trial, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is considering action against Blevins.

Employees of the Circuit Clerk’s office requested the EEOC consider their complaints against Blevins. The EEOC agreed and followed up with interviews of employees who requested the federal action.

The EEOC is expected to soon issue two responses in the matter — they will agree to pursue the matter with federal resources, or will issue a memo advising the complainants to proceed with the actions they consider most effective.

The City Wire was told that either decision by the EEOC will result in the case against Blevins being moved to a federal action in which civil penalties will be sought.

Also on Friday, Shockley filed a new complaint of “retaliation and favoritism” against Blevins.

“(M)r. Blevins has used these employees to further his retaliation against me by allowing Sue Hall and Sandy Waggoner to refuse me work, isolate me and make snide remarks towards me, in front of me and about my presence to degrade my claims of sexual harassment, further creating a stronger, more hostile working environment,” Shockley noted in her complaint.