Mariana Dale/KJZZ

Kolby Granville listens to public comment on April 12, 2019, from a woman who says she was a former student in his class.

Tempe Council Council voted unanimously Friday to remove Councilman Kolby Granville from office.

The decision was came almost a year and a half after former students of a Tempe charter school where Granville taught alleged after they graduated, but were still under 21, Granville furnished alcohol and made unwanted sexual advances.

“I believe the women,” said Councilwoman Lauren Kuby. “Councilmember Granville has lost the trust of this body and the trust of the community.”

Granville’s lawyer Jay Calhoun said the removal process was biased, unfair and did not afford her client due process.

“Councilman Granville was held as a scapegoat for all sexual assault,” Calhoun said in a prepared statement.  

Granville abstained from the vote. He was first elected in 2012. Bicycle infrastructure, little free libraries and affordable housing were among the issues Granville advocated for while on council.

Tempe City Council will hold a special meeting Monday at 4 p.m.  to discuss filling Granville’s seat. The council can appoint a replacement to serve out Granville’s term through June 2020 within 30 days. After 90 days the council can call for a special election.

The council considered an investigation from an outside lawyer, a report from Phoenix police, testimony from the public and other documents in making their decision. Granville was not charged with a crime after victims said they would not testify.

A change to the city’s charter approved last fall gave the council the power to remove one of its members for unlawful conduct involving “moral turpitude, fraud or corruption,” with five of seven votes.

The city’s investigation stemmed from allegations made by former students of the Tempe charter school where Granville taught. Tempe Preparatory Academy fired Granville in December 2017.

Granville maintained in an interview the lawyer hired by the city he did not give the women alcohol. He did date one of the women.

“There is serious concerns of a pattern of behavior that misuses a pattern of authority as a teacher, lawyer and a council member,” said Councilwoman Robin Arredondo-Savage Friday.

Dozens of community members weighed in during public comment — a few defended Granville’s integrity, but most called for his removal.

“While the city council values the opinion of our residents and the public concerning this matter, opinion is not evidence and will not be considered evidence for the purpose of this hearing,” said Mayor Mark Mitchell told the audience as the meeting started.