A federal judge has removed herself from hearing the case of a former state worker who claims he was fired because of politics.

U-S District Judge Karen Caldwell said in an order yesterday that she was not required to recuse herself from hearing the case of Mike Duncan, a former deputy inspector general for the Transportation Cabinet, who sought her disqualification. And she also disputed a motion's claim that she had "appeared biased" in rulings in the case.

Caldwell she said she would step aside "to avoid even the appearance of impropriety."

A Democrate with ties to U-S Representative Ben Chandler, Duncan, claims that his civil rights were violated when Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration allegedly fired him for his political affiliation.