Blevins hearing set for Aug. 25
by July 5, 2011 7:58 pm 115 views
A hearing on the petition to remove Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins from office is scheduled for 9 a.m., Aug. 25, in the courtroom of Judge James Cox.
However, Cox will not preside over the case. All six judges in the Sebastian County Circuit recused themselves from the matter. The Arkansas Supreme Court appointed Miller County Circuit Court Judge Kirk Johnson to the case.
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.
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.
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.