A federal judge in Kansas was publicly reprimanded for sexually harassing female employees and having an affair with a convicted felon, leaving him susceptible to extortion.

The actions of U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia, appointed by President Bill Clinton, violated numerous provisions of the code of conduct for U.S. judges, according to an order from the 10th Circuit Judicial Council. He was publicly reprimanded, the most severe punishment available, for his conduct and admonished for the violations.

A special committee tasked to investigate allegations against Murguia, 62, found he made sexually suggestive comments, sent inappropriate text messages, and made “excessive, non-work-related contact” with female judiciary employees. Much of Murguia’s contact happened after work and late at night, according to an order from the judicial council, which adopted the committee’s findings.

The women said they were reluctant to ask Murguia to stop “because of the power he held as a federal judge.” Murguia, the Kansas-born son of Mexican immigrants, is married to Ann Brandau-Murguia, 52, a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, with whom he has three children.

Murguia was also found to have engaged in a “years-long extramarital sexual relationship with a drug-using individual” who was on probation but is now behind bars again for state felony convictions. The panel acknowledges that while an affair doesn’t always constitute misconduct, Murguia “placed himself in such a compromised position that he made himself susceptible to extortion.”

In 2017, Ann Brandau-Murguia was arrested for domestic battery. She later posted a message on Facebook saying the complaint for domestic violence didn’t involve her husband or her three children. "A long-time friend and I were involved in a misunderstanding that resulted in an argument and physical contact,” she said. “Since this is a pending matter and there appears to be some differences of opinion as to what happened, I have been told not to discuss what occurred in public.” The local district attorney decided not to file charges.

Judge Murguia was also found to have been “habitually late” for court proceedings and meetings, behavior that persisted for several years. The special committee tasked with investigating the allegations against Murguia found that a “repeated cause” of his lateness was his lunchtime basketball games.

Murguia admitted the misconduct and apologized for his behavior, but the 10th Circuit judicial panel said he admitted wrongdoing only after being presented with supporting evidence.

“His apologies appeared more tied to his regret that his actions were brought to light than an awareness of, and regret for, the harm he caused to the individuals involved and to the integrity of his office,” the panel said.

Murguia’s misconduct, the judges continued, “fell well short” of judges’ obligations to “maintain the integrity and propriety of the judiciary and to ensure that the public has a positive view of, and experience with, the judiciary.” He said he was “truly sorry” for his “inappropriate actions” and apologized to the victims and his staff, his fellow judges, and his family.

“Though my actions occurred several years ago, they harmed the victims, my family and my marriage; however, my actions have not and will not interfere with the fair administration of justice,” Murguia said in a statement. “I continue to strive to be a responsible person and employer.”