Alex Kozinski, a high-profile judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, is facing a probe over allegations of sexual misconduct with 15 women. | J. David Ake/AP Photo Federal appeals court judge steps down amid sexual misconduct probe

Federal appeals court Judge Alex Kozinski announced his immediate retirement Monday amid a judicial investigation into allegations he was sexually inappropriate with former female staffers and other women.

“I cannot be an effective judge and simultaneously fight this battle,” Kozinski said in a statement provided by his lawyer, Susan Estrich. “Nor would such a battle be good for my beloved federal judiciary. And so I am making the decision to retire, effective immediately.”


Kozinski, a high-profile judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, is facing a probe over allegations of sexual misconduct involving 15 women, including several former staffers. The allegations initially were reported by The Washington Post.

The judge apologized for some of his behavior with former female staffers in announcing his immediate resignation, saying he may “not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace.”

“It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent,” Kozinski wrote. “For this I sincerely apologize.”

A series of Washington Post reports published last week revealed that 15 women accused Kozinski of subjecting them to behavior ranging from inappropriate touching to making them watch porn in his chambers.

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The 9th Circuit court took up an investigation into the allegations stemming from the reporting last week. On Friday, the probe was assigned to the 2nd Circuit judicial council.

Kozinski, 67, has served on the 9th Circuit appeals court since 1985. He served as its chief justice from November 2007 until December 2014.