B Gillespie
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- Jul 25, 2008
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ROGERSVILLE â€" Intimidation is the common denominator linking the Hawkins County women who have filed complaints accusing former prosecutor Doug Godbee of offering leniency in exchange for sex.
Five women filed complaints with the Tennessee Claims Commission this month, including four complaints that were filed Monday.
Nashville attorney Robert Whitaker, who filed the complaints on behalf of the women, said Tuesday a sixth complaint will be filed within a week. Whitaker said he expects more women to come forward if they realize they won’t face retribution in the criminal court system.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe into the allegations against Godbee, 57, is expected to be presented at the next Hawkins County grand jury session in late April or early M a y.
“What each of these cases have in common is the belief on the part of these women that Mr. Godbee controlled their fate, and the fear that failing to comply with his sexual demands would result in more lengthy prison sentences,†Whitaker said. “Mr. Godbee relied upon and exploited his position of authority and power in criminal proceedings as part of a scheme to obtain sexual favors from female criminal defendants.â€
Read the full report in today's print edition of the Kingsport Times-News or its enhanced electronic edition.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9029528