A northeastern Pennsylvania magistrate is facing accusations that he traded racy text messages and had sex with the girlfriend of a defendant in his drug and alcohol treatment court.
The state's Judicial Conduct Board filed administrative charges Tuesday against District Judge Michael Shaw of Sayre, Bradford County.
Shaw was removed as presiding judge of Bradford County's treatment court after his relationship with the woman came to light in 2014.
The complaint alleges that Shaw also communicated outside of court with defendants and their relatives, allowing his social relationships to influence him.
Shaw and his lawyer did not immediately return phone messages Wednesday.
If convicted in the Court of Judicial Discipline, Shaw could be censured, suspended, fined or removed from office.
Shaw has been in office for more than two decades.
