A court reporter has filed a complaint with the EEOC accusing a Westmoreland County judge of creating a sexually hostile work environment for her that lasted for nearly half a decade. The 33-year-old, who now works as a court reporter for another judge on the same court, filed a 26-page narrative with the federal agency detailing years of sexual harassment at the hands of the judge.

The woman originally filed her complaint in March with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, but the Commission advised her that it has no jurisdiction over members of the judiciary. This week, therefore, the woman refiled her sexual harassment complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

According to the woman's lawyer, the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board is also reviewing the hostile work environment allegations made against the judge, who sits on the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County in Greensburg. If the Judicial Conduct Board finds the court reporter's allegations credible, they could call a professional disciplinary hearing to determine if the judge acted improperly.

'Most of what she said was a big nothing,' says judge of sexual harassment allegations

For his part, the 63-year-old judge denies that he created a sexually hostile work environment or ignored the woman's sexual harassment complaints.

"It's hurtful, and I deny the allegations that anything was done inappropriately," he told reporters.

"I absolutely deny that I did anything in a suggestive manner to [the court reporter], or anybody," the judge told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in an interview after the first complaint. "Have I been nice? Yeah, to all my staff. Most of what she said was a big nothing. I treat my whole staff like family."

The EEOC will review the allegations made by the court reporter and determine whether it wishes to pursue the case on her behalf. If it does not elect to do so, the woman could still file a sexual harassment lawsuit on her own against the judge.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Court reporter files federal complaint against Westmoreland judge," Rich Cholodofsky, April 16, 2011