In at least one case the new report is expected to include, an administrative law judge within the Coast Guard system — which contracts with NOAA to hear cases that can't be settled — traveled to a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with NOAA lawyers soon after rendering to NOAA the verdict it had sought against a against a New Bedford fisherman, according to documents released to the Times Thursday under the US Freedom of Information Act.

Court documents show that the administrative judge ignored a federal judge's order to restart the case, and instead reaffirmed and enforced the penalties sought by the NOAA lawyers who were in Kuala Lumpur with the presiding judge.