Probation officer sues Butler County's top judge in federal court

BUTLER, Pa. — A judge, who has been on the bench for more then 25 years, is named in a federal lawsuit filed by an unidentified Butler County probation officer, who accuses him of sexual misconduct.

Butler County President Judge Thomas Doerr hears court cases every day, but now he's become the center of one.

The female probation officer's civil lawsuit states the two met at a Christmas party in 2004. She alleges Doerr said that he would do what he could to get her a job.

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In 2005, he called her to the courthouse where, court paperwork states, they had sex in his chambers.

She got the job and claims the two had a four-year "business relationship."

Channel 11 contacted the judge, and went to his office and courtroom, but he wasn't available.

The court administrator said she cannot comment on current litigation, but she did say the judge remains on the bench.

The lawsuit also alleges workplace discrimination. The probation officer, who remains on the job, claims when she broke off the affair, her workplace became hostile. She alleges the judge used his authority to change her shifts, and to reassign and mistreat her.