Members of the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline will now study reams of evidence as they deliberate the judge's fate behind closed doors.

WARWICK, R.I. — The lawyer who investigated complaints against District Court Judge Rafael A. Ovalles argued Wednesday that the judge's sexual harassment of female staff and lawyers, widespread abusive manner, legal incompetence and overall misconduct rose to a level so egregious that it demands his removal from the bench.

"The public has to have confidence in its judges and that means the integrity of any judge ... has to be at the highest level, beyond reproach," Marc DeSisto told the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline.

But Ovalles's defense lawyer argued that his client has endured humiliation during what has been an outrageous and damaging process. Its consequences, he said, will last long after the commission makes its recommendation on what discipline Ovalles should face, if any, to the state Supreme Court.

"As I said, regardless of what happens here, the damage has been done, and it's outrageous," an impassioned Mark Berthiaume said, adding, "In closing ... there is a pattern here. There is no evidence to support the allegations. That's the pattern."

The commission launched an investigation in 2014 after receiving complaints from deputy court clerk Karen Kanelos that she had seen Ovalles in chambers with his pants unzipped and his hands in his underpants, and another from lawyer Christopher T. Millea. The commission hired DeSisto to undertake a probe, which DeSisto said led to the unearthing of a barrage of other grievances from 60-plus witnesses.

The commission formally charged Ovalles in December 2015 with violating the canons of judicial ethics and bringing his judicial office into serious disrepute. He was accused of sexually harassing females; demeaning those who appeared before him; and failing to grasp basic legal concepts. He has since been relieved of his judicial duties by District Court Chief Judge Jeanne E. LaFazia, although he continues to receive his $160,018 annual salary.

The commission launched hearings into the allegations on Jan. 23. The panel of judges and lawyers has listened attentively and taken copious notes as dozens of witnesses testified over five weeks. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear presided over the proceedings as commission chairman, though the group retreated to chambers to discuss perplexing legal issues.

With Wednesday's closing arguments, the commission's real work begins. Members must sift through reams of evidence as they deliberate behind closed doors.

The commission will make recommendations to the state Supreme Court about what discipline, if any, is appropriate for Ovalles. At least nine of the panel's 16 members must determine whether a reprimand, censure, suspension, immediate temporary suspension, removal, or retirement is fitting. Alternatively, the commission may dismiss the case altogether.

If the commission accepts DeSisto's recommendation, it could mean the toppling of Rhode Island first Hispanic judge, though the high court makes the ultimate call. A native of the Dominican Republic, Ovalles, 52, was named to the bench in 2005 by then Gov. Donald Carcieri.

In closing, DeSisto took particular issue with Ovalles's denial that most of the reported mistreatment, abuse and bizarre behavior ever occurred. In testifying, Ovalles cast the vast majority of the witnesses as liars and said that the complaints were driven, in part, by racism.

“Most people in our society are not used to being told what to do by a minority. ... I’m sorry that is a factor in all of this,” Ovalles said in January.

DeSisto argued that Ovalles's lack of candor about the allegations exemplified the gravity of his misconduct. "If you find that the judge was less than candid, or untruthful, it makes the seriousness of the misconduct even worse," DeSisto said.

Berthiaume disputed that conclusion, faulting DeSisto for not substantiating the allegations with tape recordings of the purported incidents.

"If you view this evidence fairly and objectively, there's no way ... this judge should be disciplined," Berthiaume said. "It's time for this to end."