U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy has referred Justice Department lawyers for possible disciplinary action over their handling of a federal investigation into transgender medical care, according to court documents.

The judge issued sharp criticism of DOJ attorneys last month, accusing them of misrepresenting information and withholding details during proceedings related to the investigation. McElroy's decision to refer the lawyers for potential discipline represents an unusual judicial rebuke of federal prosecutors.

The controversy stems from a grand jury investigation targeting Mount Sinai Health System's treatment of transgender patients. The health system disclosed Friday that it had received a federal grand jury subpoena seeking information about adolescent patients who received gender-related medical care.

The investigation appears to be part of broader federal scrutiny of transgender medical treatments, particularly those involving minors. Mount Sinai operates multiple hospitals and medical facilities in the New York area and provides various forms of gender-affirming care.

Judicial referrals for attorney discipline are rare and typically involve allegations of serious misconduct or ethical violations. The specific details of what Judge McElroy found objectionable in the prosecutors' conduct were not immediately clear from available court records.

The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the judge's criticism or the ongoing investigation into Mount Sinai's practices.