A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against the Butler County president judge, alleging he created a hostile work environment for a female probation officer with whom he previously had a sexual relationship.

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon of the Western District of Pennsylvania on Thursday rejected arguments from Butler County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Thomas Doerr, the court and a deputy chief court administrator that they were immune from the suit and that plaintiff Crystal Starnes failed to establish the claims she raised under the First and 14th amendments.