U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham issued a statement Friday 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 those matters publicly.

Nottingham, who recently presided over the highly publicized trial of former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio, also said the issues had become public because of "protracted, bitter divorce proceedings."

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

Nottingham, 59, was appointed to the federal bench in 1989. He became chief judge of the U.S. District Court for Colorado this year, a position based on seniority.

9News reported on its 10 p.m. telecast Thursday that Nottingham 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 and that he couldn't remember details of his two visits because he had been drinking.

9News also reported that Nottingham admitted spending $150 on what he called an "Internet dating site," which the station identified as

Ipayfriendfinder.com.

An Eagle County district court judge ordered the couple's divorce proceedings sealed, or unavailable to the public, in June. According to the order, Nottingham requested the file be sealed, and Jaeger did not object to his motion.

Jaeger did not return phone messages left for her Thursday or Friday by the Rocky Mountain News.

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

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."

Complaints against federal judges may be filed with the executive of the circuit, who then turns them over to the chief judge of the circuit. Those complaints are not public, said David Tighe, executive of the 10th Circuit, which includes Colorado.

Nottingham is known as a strict judge with little patience for unprepared attorneys or delays. He also has a reputation as a hard worker, a judge who arrives at court early in the morning and keeps current on case law. In his 17 years on the bench, the appellate court has reversed his decisions just 14 times out of 108 appeals.

He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush.