Federal district judges in New Mexico voted not to reappoint a magistrate judge after an internal probe found she created an abusive and hostile work environment by subjecting employees to outbursts, "derogatory" statements and frequent threats of being fired (article available here).
In a rare order published on September 14, the court investigated a complaint by two former clerks and two current employees alleging the magistrate judge, who had served in that role since 2006, created an abusive and hostile work environment.
After the investigation was largely complete, the district court judges in New Mexico voted against re-appointing the magistrate judge to another eight-year term.
The case is In re: Complaint Under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act, case number 10-21-90022, before the Judicial Council of the Tenth Circuit.