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U.S. Court of Appeals judge accused of sexual harassment

Judge Alex Kozinski, of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Judge Alex Kozinski, of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Photo: Paul Sakuma / AP

A former chief judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit is being accused of sexual misconduct by former clerks, according to a Washington Post report.

Why it matters: While sexual harassment allegations have touched every industry (media, entertainment, sports, politics, and more) this is the first allegation against a judge. Kozinski said in a statement he "would never intentionally do anything to offend anyone."

The allegations:

  • One clerk, Heidi Bond, told the Post that Judge Alex Kozinski invited her into his office with images of porn pulled up on his computer, and asked her if it "aroused her sexually."
  • Another woman, Emily Murphy, who clerked for Judge Richard Pez, said Kozinski steered a group conversation towards the idea of her exercising in the 9th Circuit gym naked.
Sexual misconduct