A special master has cleared a former New Bedford District Court judge and a prosecutor of allegations of a secret romantic relationship, while flagging concerns about the judge’s conduct and handling of evidence.

Special Master Ernest Sarason Jr. concluded in a report released after five days of evidentiary hearings that former Judge Douglas Darnbrough and Assistant District Attorney Karyn Butler did not engage in an inappropriate relationship, nor did they coordinate on criminal cases.

Darnbrough did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.

The investigation, ordered by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, was triggered by a motion for a new trial filed by Gerson Pascual-Santana, a defendant who alleged his conviction was tainted by the purported affair.

See more at wpri.com.