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Dan Kraker
Duluth, Minn.

Cook County fires convicted prosecutor Scannell

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Cook County attorney Tim Scannell
Cook County attorney Tim Scannell talks about the culture of younger girls and older men Friday, February 3rd in his office at the Cook County courthouse in Grand Marais, Minn.
Special to MPR News by Derek Montgomery

The Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday voted unanimously to remove County Attorney Tim Scannell from office.

The move came less than a week after a Duluth jury convicted the prosecutor on two counts of felony criminal sexual conduct tied to his relationship two years ago with a girl, then age 17, when he was 46.

It's been an emotionally charged issue in Cook County, county administrator Jay Kieft said. "Our hope is that this is a move towards healing for the community," he said of Scannell's firing.

In most cases, local governments can't remove an elected official from office. But state statute considers an elected office to be vacated if the official is convicted of a felony, Kieft said.

Scannell's attorney declined to respond to the county board's vote. Scannell could not be reached for comment

Scannell has been on medical leave since last October. He is not running for a third term as county attorney in November.

The board appointed assistant prosecutor Molly Hicken as interim county attorney. She's filled in since Scannell went on medical leave and is the only candidate running for election to the post.