Orloff Neves Rocha, a retired appellate judge from the Goiás Court of Justice (TJ-GO), has been mandated to retire due to serious allegations of sexual harassment against a young contracted employee. The National Justice Council (CNJ) reported that the judge attempted to kiss the employee and proposed an outing outside the court, violating the integrity and dignity expected of judicial officials. This incident, which occurred just days before his compulsory retirement, has raised significant concerns over harassment within the judiciary.

The incident was initially reported in 2021 when a 22-year-old worker was assigned to assist the judge with technical services for his office computer. During her visit, the judge allegedly opened his arms to embrace her and made inappropriate advances. The allegations signify a troubling disregard for the professional boundaries expected within court systems. The CNJ has underscored that such behaviors are a breach of judicial conduct, emphasizing that maintaining decorum within the judiciary is critical.

As the G1 news outlet reached out for comments from the judge's defense team without success, this situation highlights ongoing issues of power dynamics and misconduct in Brazilian courts. The outcome of this disciplinary action may not only impact the judge's career but also sends a message about the judiciary's commitment to addressing and preventing harassment, potentially leading to reforms aimed at protecting employees in such environments.