Petition filed to remove Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins

It appears the controversy surrounding the office of Sebastian County Circuit Clerk Ken Blevins is far from over.

On Thursday (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.

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.

Abe Bogoslavsky, the attorney who represented Blevins at the grievance hearing, said the complaints of the women were better suited for a hearing by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He also said it was his opinion the complaints “ain’t even close” to what the courts recognize as a hostile work environment. He said the courts look for “severe and pervasive” behavior, and that a few bad jokes and back rubs don’t qualify.

Arkansas law (ACA 14-14-1311) does provide for the removal from office of an elected circuit clerk by the judges of the respective circuit. The law succinctly notes: “The circuit court shall have jurisdiction, upon information, presentment, or indictment, to remove any county or township officer from office for incompetency, corruption, gross immorality, criminal conduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.”

The process, however, is uncertain. Dunagin was not commenting on the matter, and Sebastian County Judge David Hudson said he is “out of the loop” as it relates to Dunagin’s petition.

“That’s now in their (circuit court judges) hands,” Hudson said.

A source close to the matter indicates that the process may be what the circuit court judges prescribe.