U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham issued a statement today saying his visits to a Denver strip club, made public late Thursday, are "private and personal matters involving human frailties and foibles."

He said he will not discuss them publicly.

Nottingham also said the issues had become public because of "protracted, bitter divorce proceedings."

"Judge Nottingham has attempted to deal with the issues privately, and he will continue to do so," the statement reads.

9News reported on its 10 p.m. broadcast Thursday that Nottingham, who recently presided over the trial of former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio, spent $3,000 at the Diamond Cabaret, a topless club.

The information is contained in transcripts of the divorce proceedings of Nottingham and Marcie Jaeger in Eagle County last month, 9News reported.

The station also quoted from transcripts of a divorce proceeding, in which Nottingham said he was "ashamed and mortified" to admit to the expenditures.

9News also reported that Nottingham admitted spending $150 on what he called an "Internet dating site." His ex-wife described the site as "a porn site." The site is Ipayfriendfinder.com, according to 9News.

Federal judges are appointed to serve for life. They may be removed only for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

They also are expected to follow a judicial code of conduct, which reads in 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 ... The test for appearance of impropriety is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds, with knowledge of all the relevant circumstances that a reasonable inquiry would disclose, a perception that the judge's ability to carry out judicial responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and competence is impaired."

Nottingham, 59, is known as a strict judge with little patience for unprepared attorneys or unnecessary delays. Years ago, he was notorious for requiring attorneys he was unhappy with to appear before him at 6:30 a.m.

He assumed the position of chief judge of the U.S. District Court for Colorado earlier this year, a position based on seniority among active judges age 64 or younger.

Nottingham was appointed to the federal bench in October 1989 by President George H.W. Bush. The U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment one month later.

A graduate of Grand Junction High School, he earned a bachelor's degree at Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law.

He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and in private practice in Denver and Grand Junction before becoming a federal judge.