April 14 (Reuters) - A federal appeals judge in Washington is under investigation by her own court for allegedly failing to carry out her duties and refusing to respond to other judges' concerns, court officials at the U. Newman had refused to consider senior status, a form of semi-retirement, calling herself the only person on the court "who cared about the patent system and innovation policy," the order said. The committee investigating Newman will report its findings to the Federal Circuit’s judicial council, which could reject the complaint or impose sanctions, including a private censure or recommendation that the judge retire