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Bond lowered, accused pediatrician released from jail
Attorney tells judge that Mark Blankenburg does not intend to practice medicine if released.
Friday, March 20, 2009
HAMILTON — A Hamilton pediatrician was released on bond Thursday, March 19, from the Butler County Jail, where he had been held for the past three months on multiple felony charges.
Bond for Dr. Mark Blankenburg, 53, one of two Butler County pediatricians facing charges of sexually abusing male patients, bribery and money laundering, was modified Thursday by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said Blankenburg's twin brother, pediatrician Dr. R. Scott Blankenburg, at 1:02 p.m. posted $100,000, which was 10 percent of $1 million, through the courts. Mark Blankenburg was released at 5:15 p.m. from the jail, where he had been housed since Dec. 19, after the first round of indictments was handed down by a grand jury.
The grand jury released additional indictments against him in January. More recent charges came last week from an indictment that included his twin brother.
Scott Blankenburg, who attended the Thursday bond hearing, on March 6 posted 10 percent of a $500,000 bond that was set for him by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage.
Scott Blankenburg is prohibited from contact with anyone younger than 16, which is part of his bond agreement.
At a hearing Thursday, Spaeth
ordered if Mark Blankenburg did post bond, that he not have contact with anyone younger than 18 and be fitted with a GPS monitor for which the doctor will pay.
Defense attorney Michael Shanks told the judge his client did not intend to practice medicine if released. He also said Mark Blankenburg is not a flight risk because investigators have possession of his passport.
The defense attorney told the judge that Hamilton police investigated Mark Blankenburg for 1½ years before the first indictment and the doctor did not flee.
Assistant Prosecutor Lance Salyers and Jason Phillabaum argued the bond of $1 million cash or $2 million worth of property should not be changed. They said Mark Blankenburg is a threat to the public.
C
ontact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
