Report: Vegas federal judge investigated

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has launched an investigation of a Las Vegas federal judge, the Los Angeles Times said.

The Times reported Saturday that U.S. District Judge James Mahan was specifically being scrutinized over allegations he failed to disclose personal ties to parties in cases involving monetary awards.

Mahan, who joined the federal bench in 2002, had been the subject of an investigation by the newspaper last summer.

Although investigations of federal judges by nature are confidential, the Times said two people "independently familiar with the matter said that a law firm hired by the 9th Circuit has scheduled interviews with key figures in the Mahan case."

Mahan, who has denied any wrongdoing, was detailed in the Times' articles as having awarded fees in a dozen state and federal cases to a former client and business associate; he also reportedly awarded additional fees to his former law partner who still had ties to him and his family.