TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Jacksonville circuit judge is formally denying allegations that he made demeaning comments about women and said black people should "go back to Africa."
Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey filed his response Monday to charges being investigated by Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission, which says probable cause exists to investigate Hulsey for violating misconduct rules.
Hulsey, who is running for re-election, requested a hearing.
Hulsey is accused of telling a staff attorney that black people should get on a ship and "go back to Africa." He's also accused of using derogatory terms to refer to a staff attorney, and of ordering his judicial assistant to perform personal tasks.
Hulsey denies making the comments, and says an assistant volunteered to take his wife to a medical appointment.
