FEDERAL WAY, Wash.  — The state Public Disclosure Commission says Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Michael Morgan violated state election laws when his city computer was used to criticize his opponent.

The charges filed by the commission don't say Morgan made Internet posts himself, but conclude he used or authorized the use of city equipment for political gain. He is running for a second term to the bench in the Nov. 3 election.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports that Morgan continues to deny the charges. He may have assumed the identity of a clerk and used his city computer to post Internet comments critical of two opponents in the August primary.

Morgan is also being investigated by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. Records show investigators have looked at logs of Internet activity on Morgan's computer, security camera footage and logs for the door outside the judge's office and court staff entrance.