Last week, a federal judge appointed to the bench in Alaska just a few years ago by then-President Donald Trump abruptly resigned without any explanation, sparking some rumors and speculation about the reason for the sudden move.

It has now been revealed that former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred voluntarily resigned following an investigation that found he had engaged in an "inappropriately sexualized relationship" with a law clerk, CNN reported.

It was also determined that the judge engaged in other misconduct involving his law clerks and others and that he initially lied when questioned about his alleged actions and behavior.

Unexpected resignation

On July 5, the Clerk of the Court for the District of Alaska announced in a brief news release that Judge Kindred had submitted his resignation to President Joe Biden two days earlier and that his resignation would take effect the following Monday, July 8.

The release provided no additional information about the reason for the sudden resignation but included a copy of Kindred's letter to the president that similarly failed to explain why he was stepping down from his lifetime appointment to the federal bench.

Kindred had been nominated in 2019 by then-President Trump and was confirmed as a district judge by the Senate in early 2020, according to CNN.

Results of investigation publicly released

The reason for former Judge Kindred's unexpected resignation became clear on Monday when the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit issued a news release and accompanying Order and Certificate outlining the findings of misconduct against the jurist.

The Council concluded that "Judge Kindred engaged in misconduct by creating a hostile work environment for his law clerks and by having an inappropriately sexualized relationship with one of his law clerks both during her clerkship and after she became an Assistant United States Attorney. The former law clerk did not appear on any case before Judge Kindred while she was employed as an Assistant United States Attorney."

The Order called for Kindred to be "publicly reprimanded and admonished" for his misconduct, requested his voluntary resignation, and certified the matter to be considered for impeachment and removal from the bench.

Chief Circuit Judge Mary H. Murguia, who appointed the special committee that investigated the allegations against Kindred, said in a statement, "The Judiciary is entrusted to self-govern and, in doing so, must hold its federal judges to the highest standards of integrity and impartiality. We take judicial misconduct complaints seriously. When allegations arise, the Judiciary conducts a fair and thorough investigation that focuses on promoting a civil and respectful workplace, free of discrimination and harassment, and maintaining the integrity of the Judiciary."

"The process seeks to preserve the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts. In all respects, this was a serious and sensitive matter," the chief judge added. "I thank the witnesses who provided information, understanding fully how difficult that may have been. In my role as Chief, I will continue to ensure that our judges are held to the highest standards."

Hostile work environment, inappropriate relationships, and an unanticipated vacancy

The special committee's investigation of Judge Kindred found that he "created a hostile work environment for his law clerks by engaging in unwanted, offensive, and abusive conduct, and treating the law clerks in a demonstrably egregious and hostile manner," as well as that he "engaged in misconduct by having an inappropriately sexualized relationship with one of his law clerks during her clerkship and shortly after her clerkship while she practiced as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Alaska."

It further determined that while Kindred "did not retaliate against individuals for reporting his behavior or participating in the misconduct process," he "lied to the Chief Judge, the Special Committee, and the Council" initially and "throughout the proceedings" until he later admitted under oath to the allegations when confronted with evidence of his misconduct.

Kindred's resignation creates another vacancy in the judiciary and leaves the District of Alaska with just one active judge who will receive the bulk of his reassigned open cases, with a handful of semi-retired senior-status judges and lower magistrate judges providing some assistance with the additional caseload, according to the court clerk.