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Rich Clement / Bloomberg

Michael Bromwich, a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP and a former inspector general at the Justice Department

A judge rejected Apple Inc.'s effort to neutralize an antitrust monitor who was appointed after the company was found liable in an e-books price-fixing case.

The Cupertino-based iPhone maker sought to remove Michael Bromwich, a partner at Goodwin Procter LLP, from his post as monitor, saying he was conducting a roving investigation and that a declaration he filed showed he was biased, Reuters reported.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in New York will issue a decision explaining her reasoning behind rejecting Apple's request. The monitorship will be delayed 48 hours following the release of her opinion. A company lawyer said Apple will appeal.

Apple's disdain for monitor Michael Bromwich grew over several months. In November, it claimed he was overcharging the company and stepping beyond the scope of his role. Bromwich claims Apple has attempted on several occasions to block interviews he wanted with top executives over the e-book case.

Bromwich was appointed late last year to evaluate Apple Inc.'s antitrust compliance training program following Cote's prior ruling that the company was guilty of fixing ebook prices.

Companies: AAPL