BOSTON — A man who worked as a Santa Claus in a Massachusetts shopping mall has been ordered not to put the red suit back on until a court resolves a charge that he groped an adult coworker over the weekend.

The man, Herbert Jones, 62, was arrested on Saturday, November 23, and charged with one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, Russ Eonas, a spokesman for the Plymouth County district attorney’s office, said on Tuesday.

The prosecutor’s office declined to comment on reports that the co-worker wore an elf costume as part of the job.

Jones pleaded not guilty and was released on $1,000 bail. A judge ordered him to stay away from the Hanover Mall, where he had worked, and not to seek work as a mall Santa until the charges are resolved.

Jones is due back in court on December 24, Christmas Eve.