Former Judge’s Supervisor Role Opens Him to Harassment Claims

A former Maine district court judge was a contract worker’s supervisor and therefore must face claims that he subjected her to a hostile work environment through unwanted sexual advances, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Judge Charles Budd Jr. isn’t entitled to immunity because he directed drug treatment counselor Samantha Pike’s work, approved meeting absences, and got to decide whether to renew a contract with her employer, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit said.

“Thus, the complaint plausibly alleges that Budd’s position as a state court judge provided him with supervisory authority over Pike’s work,” Judge Gustavo ...