US District Judge Acknowledges ‘Abusive Workplace’ in Chambers

A federal district court judge within the Fourth Circuit acknowledged creating an “environment and atmosphere” in their chambers that “resulted in an abusive workplace,” according to a judicial order.

A former clerk alleged the unnamed judge “subjected him to harassment, verbal abuse, bullying, erratic behavior, and other abusive conduct,” according to the ordersigned by Chief Judge Albert Diaz.

Diaz found the judge had created “a workplace culture where complainant and his co-clerk were afraid to ask questions and felt compelled to go to great lengths to avoid incurring the judge’s displeasure.”

The clerks described being chastised for minor errors, ...