By
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - The state is accusing a Cochise County judge of sexual harassment.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct announced yesterday it has filed formal charges against Superior Court Judge Charles A. Irwin.
The charges accuse Irwin of inappropriately offering a court employee drinks to be consumed in the judge's office after hours and of soliciting massages from court employees and asking to give them massages.
Other charges allege comments by the judge produced an offensive work environment and claim that he hugged or patted female defendants being led off to incarceration.
Irwin remains on the bench and he has 15 days to file a response with the commission. He did not immediately return a call for comment.
