BATON ROUGE - Louisiana authorities are investigating allegations that a personal assistant financially exploited a federal judge whose alcoholism is so severe that a colleague asked a court to rule she cannot take care of herself.

Records show a "caretaker" for U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi is accused of using her credit cards and checking account to rack up more than $51,000 in debt, including checks purportedly signed by Minaldi while she was getting substance abuse treatment in Florida earlier this year.

Prosecutors have sought a warrant to arrest the suspect, a 28-year-old man, on charges including forgery.

Court records unsealed last week say Minaldi was ordered to get treatment for her alcoholism.

An Associated Press investigation revealed Minaldi's pattern of unusual behavior on the bench preceding her mysterious removal from several cases.