Boston – A federal bankruptcy judge who handed in his resignation after being nabbed driving drunk in Manchester dressed in drag, is on paid administrative leave, according to a U.S. appeals court spokesman.

Susan Goldberg, deputy circuit executive for the U.S. Appeals Court for the First Circuit in Boston, said Judge Robert Somma, 63, of Newbury, Mass., had his resignation date extended from April 1 until May 15 by "mutual agreement."

She explained under federal law, the appeals court is responsible for the hiring of all bankruptcy judges.

Goldberg said Somma was returned to his previous status before he submitted his resignation. After his arrest, he was placed on a voluntary leave of absence.

"It amounts to a paid leave of absence," she explained.

As Somma's resignation date approached, he announced in a letter to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly that he was reconsidering resigning because of overwhelming support from judges, lawyers and others.

Somma said then he no longer believed the "media frenzy" over his arrest would prevent him from doing his job. He also apologized for a "terrible lapse of judgment."

The judge was arrested for DWI on the night of Feb. 6 after he drove his Mercedes-Benz E320 sedan into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a red light on Elm Street. Somma had just left a gay bar and was wearing a black cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and high heels.

He was placed on a voluntary leave after the incident and handed in his resignation a few days after pleading guilty to drunk driving. Under a plea deal, he agreed to a 12-month license suspension, which would be reduced to six months if he completes an alcohol awareness program, according to court records. He was also fined $600 plus court penalties.

Chief Administrative Officer for the First Circuit Court Gary H. Wente has said Somma performed excellent service as a bankruptcy judge since his 2004 appointment.