CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A state judicial panel is investigating a western Wyoming local magistrate who was quoted in a local newspaper saying she would not perform same-sex marriages.

Pinedale Municipal Judge Ruth Neely told the Sublette Examiner in a story published last December she would not marry gay couples because of her religious beliefs.

A federal judge in Casper struck down Wyoming's gay marriage ban last year.

The Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics says in a statement that it has begun an investigation of Neely over six possible violations of judicial conduct.

The statement says Neely has denied violating judicial conduct and says performing same-sex marriage would violate her constitutional rights.

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