GRAND MARAIS — A northern Minnesota prosecutor is due in court as a defendant in a sexual misconduct case.

Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Shaun Floerke will continue to hear the case against the 47-year-old prosecutor today after earlier denying a motion to have each of the district’s judges removed. The defense argued any judge who faces re-election in the district could be swayed by community pressure.

The relationship between Scannell and the girl came to light when her family asked for a restraining order in 2012. The girl’s parents said Scannell was a longtime family friend who told them he loved the girl and that their relationship had turned physical.