Salazar 'troubled' by allegations about federal judge

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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 28, 2008

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DENVER - Sen. Ken Salazar says he is troubled by allegations of personal misconduct against Edward W. Nottingham, the chief federal district judge in Colorado.

Nottingham is under review by an appeals court over a complaint citing news media reports that he allegedly viewed adult Web sites on his government computer in his chambers, and that he had testified in his divorce case last year that he spent $3,000 at a strip club one night.

Salazar, D-Colo., told reporters this week that he wants to investigate further to determine whether any sanctions are appropriate.

"I am very troubled by recent allegations made against Chief Judge Edward Nottingham," Salazar told The Denver Post in Friday's editions. "I believe that a United States district court judge should serve in an exemplary manner, both on and off the court. I will examine the evidence concerning the allegations and then decide what future action might be appropriate."

Salazar told KUSA-TV in Denver his goal is to make federal courts in Colorado the best they can be.

"Because there are going to be three judicial vacancies where we will be making appointments and confirmations of the positions in the next several months, I hope it's a new beginning for the district courts in Colorado," he said

Nottingham's attorney, Stephen Peters, said Friday that procedures for investigating a federal judge call for confidentiality. He declined further comment.

Nottingham presided over the high-profile trial of former Qwest Communications CEO Joe Nacchio, who was convicted of insider trading last year. Nacchio appealed and the 10th Circuit ordered a new trial, saying Nottingham improperly prevented a defense expert from testifying.