HAMILTON, OHIO – An assistant law director for the city of Hamilton has been fired following charges of public indecency after allegedly walking nude through municipal offices on three separate occasions.
The dismissal of Scott Blauvelt, 35, comes after he was charged last week with two fourth-degree misdemeanors in connection with incidents authorities said occurred on separate nights earlier this month. The charges stems from surveillance videos in which Blauvelt is alleged to be seen walking nude through the government buildings of Hamilton and Butler County.
Blauvelt’s attorney Michael Gmoser said he plans to appeal the decision. He has argued that his client’s actions may have been adversely impacted by recently prescribe medication.
Since the criminal charges, city officials have become aware of “another identical incident” of nudity on Sept. 25, according to a letter sent to Blauvelt Tuesday from Hamilton Law Director Hillary Stevenson.
The letter stated that Blauvelt’s termination was based on violations of administrative directives dealing with the performance of illegal acts while on duty and conduct unbecoming of an employee.
His dismissal, Stevenson wrote, was not based upon the pending criminal case, or a possible conviction. Blauvelt is scheduled for plea hearing Tuesday in Hamilton Municipal Court.
Blauvelt’s behavior, Stevenson wrote, had “adversely affected the credibility of this office and all of its employees. The damage done is irreparable, so too perhaps is the damage to you personally.”
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, a court services deputy checking closed circuit security monitors saw Blauvelt walking naked on the county’s side of the Government Services Center on the evenings of Oct. 4-5.
Blauvelt has worked for the city as the municipal court prosecutor since last March, according to personnel records.
His dismissal follows a pre-disciplinary hearing last week in which Stevenson reviewed information presented by Gmoser.
Among the information reviewed was a psychiatric report that indicated Blauvelt’s behavior may have been linked to medication he was taking for bi-polar disorder and seizure control.
The psychiatrist wrote that Blauvelt was placed on a medication called Lamictal about two weeks before a 2005 car crash that left him with brain injuries. Investigators of that crash found an injured and nude Blauvelt had been thrown from his car. His clothing was inside the car, Gmoser has said.
Blauvelt’s use of Lamictal was suspended while he recovered from his injuries. He was placed back on the drug about three weeks ago in order to control seizures he was experiencing as a result of the brain injury.
Gmoser said he “most certainly” would move to appeal the decision.
“I had hoped for a more enlightened approach from the administration of the city of Hamilton,” Gmoser said. “What it has done is pushed the light at the end of the tunnel a little further back. We intend to press on.”
Courtesy Dayton Daily News
Tags: Crimes, Nudity, Politics & Politicians