Judge sets pediatrician's trial date

Mark Blankenburg’s trial to begin Oct. 5; a trial date for his twin brother is expected to be set on Wednesday.

Greg Lynch/Staff photographer Dr. Mark Blankenburg sits in Judge Charles Pater's courtroom Monday, June 1, 2009. File photo

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 8:41 PM Monday, June 29, 2009

HAMILTON — A fall trial date has been set for one of the twin Hamilton-area pediatricians facing felony sex and bribery charges two weeks after the 12th District Court of Appeals declined to hear a motion filed by the prosecution to consolidate the cases of Drs. Mark and R. Scott Blankenburg.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth set a trial date of Oct. 5 for Mark Blankenburg, who practiced in Hamilton, during a hearing Monday, June 29. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

His trial was scheduled to begin Aug. 3 and his brother’s next week, before the dates were vacated when the appeal was filed earlier this month.

Scott Blankenburg, who practiced in Fairfield, is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday, July 1, before Judge Noah Powers to set a new trial date.

Attorneys for Scott Blankenburg have said they want their client’s case tried first.

Mark Blankenburg is facing 90 felony charges and Scott Blankenburg faces 22 felony charges, which for both doctors includes charges of corruption of a minor, money laundering, gross sexual imposition, compelling prostitution, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and bribery.

Additionally, Mark Blankenburg faces felony drug-related charges.

Both doctors are charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal activity. The first-degree felony alleges the brothers were in collusion to commit the alleged crimes.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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