Alex Kozinski, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, resigned Monday in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, The Washington Post reported.

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

ADVERTISEMENT

The newspaper reported last week that several women accused Kozinski of making sexual comments, touching them inappropriately or kissing them without consent.

Kozinski, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, initially denied the claims.