KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Grainger County School Board and Director of Schools Mark Briscoe have started looking at options to remove school board member Steven Blanken from his role if he’s convicted of his crimes.
Blanken has been charged with two county of statutory rape after the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office said he had started an inappropriate relationship with someone who was 16 at the time.
Previous Coverage: Grainger County school board member charged with aggravated statutory rape out on bond: sheriff’s office
The school board met with an attorney, Mikel Towe, in a special meeting March 6. Towe explained to them they’d have to request the Attorney General, District Attorney, or county attorney take action because they’re the only ones who can remove him from his seat because Blanken is an elected official.
Steven Blanken, a Grainger County school board member, is facing two counts of aggravated…
Steven Blanken, a Grainger County school board member, is facing two counts of aggravated statutory rape, according to the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office.(GCSO)
This would be a part of the state’s Ouster Statute. In the letter to DA Jimmy Dunn, Briscoe said, ” Should at any point moving forward Mr. Steven Blanken plead guilty or stand convicted of the above referenced crimes (statutory rape), and/or any act ‘constituting a violation of any penal statute involving moral turpitude,’ that your office then without further delay or hesitation initiate ouster proceedings as allowed and provided under Tennessee law.”
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Briscoe said he’s already banned Blanken from school property while charges are pending.
Blanken was released on a $20,000 bond with conditions of his release being he must have a GPS-monitoring device and he can’t have any contact with the victim or the victim’s family.
