Not A Sex Crime

Posted on October 12, 2006 in Bipolar Disorder Compassion Media

The case of Scott Blauvert raises the question: just when does a disability due to an organic brain dysfunction make it impossible to work? Blauvert is City Prosecutor in Hamilton, Ohio (party affiliation unknown) who was caught wandering naked through city offices on October 5. His lawyer claims that Blauvert is bipolar and suffering from the after-effects of a 2005 car accident.

Is his disability an excuse?

The “crime” is harmless. No one other than a security guard saw Blauvert in his birthday suit. The prosecutor did not threaten anyone with violence. He is, according to his lawyer, taking anti-seizure drugs (possibly mood stabilizers) and has a bona fide condition. As is usual, my recommendation is to charge him with a misdemeanor and, if Ohio law allows, make him pay no fine.

Can he go back to work? This is a matter for his doctor and himself. Personnel should wait for that response. It is possible that Blauvert’s cocktail wasn’t quite right and that changing it will fix the problem. I wonder about the wisdom and the compassion of news agencies in broadcasting this victimless crime across the nation. Does anyone outside of Hamilton, Ohio need to know about Blauvert’s walk in the dark? I think not. There are no minors involved, no coverups (except for a blanket). Even city prosecutors (of both parties) deserve a little privacy.

This is not a sex crime a la Foley. The public is in no danger.