A New Mexico judge is signaling she may file a lawsuit claiming she's been harassed in retaliation for being a whistle-blower.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that District Judge Lisa Schultz of Las Cruces filed a claim notice in December. Claim notices are often precursors to lawsuit.
Schultz says she's been harassed since she reported what amounts to bribery allegations against then-Judge Michael Murphy regarding judicial appointments.
Allegations in Schultz's claim notice include that her workload was increased and that a court worker spied on her.
Las Cruces District Court officials declined comment, while a spokesman for the state Risk Management Division would only confirm that the agency has received Schultz's notice.
Murphy has pleaded not guilty to bribery and awaits trial.
Information from: The Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.