A veteran judge is stepping down from the bench amid a state investigation into alleged judicial misconduct.

Ocmulgee Circuit Superior Court Judge John Lee Parrott submitted his retirement letter to Gov. Nathan Deal on Saturday.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission said in court papers on Monday that it had been investigating several allegations of judicial misconduct including whether he "allowed the prestige of his office to advance his private interests."

Parrott, 63, had served as a judge on the circuit for 24 years.

Tags: Superior Court Judge, Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, judicial misconduct, judge resigns