New Orleans (Legal Newsline)-A state Judge in Louisiana has been removed from the bench pending the outcome of his criminal case, the state Supreme Court announced Friday.

In a single-page order, Plaquemines Parish Judge William Roe was deemed "disqualified from exercising any judicial function" by the state high court.

Roe was indicted on three counts each of felony theft and malfeasance in office. He surrendered to authorities last month, and was later released from jail on a $5,000 signature bond.

The grand jury was convened by the Louisiana state attorney general.

The judge is accused of double-dipping on reimbursements for legal seminars. Court papers say he asked the state Supreme Court to cover $6,581 in expenses incurred at three annual retreats, even though the Plaquemines court paid for the trips.

The expenses were from Summer School for Judges in San Destin, Fla., in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Roe has said he repaid the state court, and money must have disappeared.

A scathing legislative audit in April pointed to mismanagement in the Plaquemines Parish Court in Belle Chasse.

The audit specifically found that Roe also submitted reimbursements for $3,078 that was spent for "extra nights in San Destin, Fla., for which there was no public purpose."

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.