Colorado [World Net Daily]- The senior federal judge in Colorado has admitted in court documents connected to his divorce that he spent more than $3,000 at a strip club and used his government computer to access an online service his former wife describes as a “porn site.”

According to reports at KUSA-TV in Denver, the revelations about Judge Edward Nottingham, [pictured] who recently presided at the insider trading trial of former Qwest chief Joe Nacchio, came through court testimony and documents in his recent divorce case in Eagle County.

The television station also reported the FBI has questioned the judge’s former wife about the use of his courthouse computer. The judge responded with a prepared statement that the issues are personal and nothing would be accomplished by making them public.

The television station’s investigative team reported Nottingham, the chief federal judge in Colorado, said during his divorce proceeding he was too drunk to remember how he spent more than $3,000 at a strip club in Denver over two consecutive days.

His now-former wife, Marcia Jaeger, discovered the expenditures through credit card charges from the club, the Diamond Cabaret, and the station reported that triggered the dissolution of the marriage, which began Valentine’s Day 2004.

During the divorce hearing testimony, Nottingham said, “I’m ashamed and mortified just telling you that is the Diamond Cabaret … a topless establishment.”

He was asked how so much money could be spent.

“I had had a lot to drink … and I don’t remember.”

Scott Robinson, a legal analyst for the station, said the question of propriety certainly has been raised.

“Judge Nottingham had at least one lost night at the Diamond Cabaret and of course that goes to the question of whether that is acting with at least the appearance of impropriety,” Robinson said, “contrary to the code of conduct for federal judges.”

Federal judges are appointed by the president to lifetime positions but also are supposed to represent themselves responsibly.

The code of conduct to which they are asked to adhere states, in one part: “Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges. A judge must avoid all impropriety and appearance of impropriety. A judge must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny. A judge must therefore accept restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen and should do so freely and willingly. The prohibition against behaving with impropriety or the appearance of impropriety applies to both the professional and personal conduct of a judge.”

During the divorce hearing, Nottingham also testified about credit card charges for a website called IPayFriendFinder.com.

Jaeger said she first thought it was a dating service.

The site lists categories such as “Sexwoman,” “Russian Woman,” “Russian Brides” and others. The station reported some of the site’s portholes led to sexually graphic material, and that the judge’s total payments to the site had reached $500.

“When I asked about the dating service he turned around in his chambers and he hit his computer and he told me all about the dating service,” Jaeger said in court. “It was a porn site.”

Nottingham called it “a dating site – an Internet dating site.”

He also was asked to explain the charges to the site.

“I’m embarrassed to be even talking about this. I think you pay extra to get certain features, such as if you upload a picture or – I don’t even recall,” he said.

The television station confirmed Yaeger said she met with FBI agents about the possible improper use of a federal computer.

FBI officials had no comment.

Through the clerk of court in his office, Nottingham said the issues should be private.

“Judge Nottingham believes the underlying issues raised by Channel Nine News are private and personal matters involving human frailties and foibles, matters which have now become public as a result of protracted, bitter divorce proceedings. Judge Nottingham has attempted to deal with the issues privately, and he will continue to do so. No purpose would be served by exploring these matters publicly.”

Nottingham had a reputation for running a courtroom strictly by the rules. He once told pop star Michael Jackson, in court over a copyright case, to “answer the question.”

“I am,” Jackson said.

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m trying,” Jackson said.

“You’re failing,” said Nottingham.