July 13 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Florida said Monday that President Donald Trump sued the Internal Revenue Service for an "improper purpose" to reach a settlement with the Justice Department earlier this year.

The judge referred one of Trump's lawyers for potential disciplinary action and characterized the $10 billion complaint as an exercise in self-dealing.

A federal judge flayed President Trump and the Justice Department Monday for their handling of his lawsuit against the IRS, saying they tried to pull a fast one and abused the court in an attempt to c

A judge says President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over his leaked tax returns was filed for an “improper purpose” as she referred one of his lawyers for possible disciplinary action.

The judge said it was "risible to suggest that there was ever adverseness," and that Trump's IRS lawsuit was plainly brought for an "improper purpose."

A federal judge ruled Trump's $10 billion IRS lawsuit over leaked confidential tax returns was for an improper purpose, referring attorneys for discipline.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams accused the Republican president and his lawyers of having manipulated the court system when he sued a federal agency under his control.