U.S. judge in Denver resigning amid probe

DENVER, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Chief District Judge Edward W. Nottingham, the top federal judge in Colorado who has been accused of misconduct, is resigning, the court said Tuesday.

A former prostitute told a Denver television station last week that Nottingham asked her to lie to federal investigators, The Denver Post reported. Another person had filed a complaint this year, citing news reports that the judge allegedly viewed adult Web sites on his government computer in his chambers, the newspaper said.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released a statement saying Nottingham has "ceased judicial duties" because of "multiple complaints of misconduct." His resignation is effective Oct. 29, the court said.

Judge Wiley Y. Daniel was named to replace Nottingham as chief judge.

The newspaper said the office of Nottingham's attorney issued a statement saying he "is deeply remorseful," "embarrassed" and "ashamed." The statement said Nottingham "sincerely apologizes to the public and judiciary."

A former prostitute told KUSA-TV Nottingham paid her for weekly sex from February 2003 through November 2004. She alleges he asked her to lie to investigators in March, the station reported.

Sean Harrington, who heads a legal technology firm, had filed a complaint in January citing media reports that Nottingham allegedly viewed porn sites on his government computer in his chambers. Harrington also alleged the judge had testified in his own divorce case that he spent $3,000 at a strip club.