Legal News

Federal Judge Edward Nottingham Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations

By Dionne Searcey

This just in, from the Rockies: Federal Judge Edward Nottingham, who oversaw the insider trading trial of former Qwest CEO Joseph Nacchio, has resigned, according to the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

His resignation comes amid an investigation of complaints of judicial misconduct on the part of Nottingham (pictured), according to a statement from the appeals court. The complaints were lodged in August 2007, the court said, and since then “additional allegations developed and subsequent misconduct complaints were filed.” The court’s committees “conducted a thorough and extensive investigation, interviewed many witnesses, considered voluminous documentation, and conducted two hearings,” according to the statement.

Judge Nottingham so far has not returned a call to his chambers.

According to the Rocky Mountain News, the judge’s attorney issued this statement: “He is deeply remorseful for his actions. He is also embarrassed and ashamed for any loss of confidence caused by those actions and attendant publicity and sincerely apologies to the public and the judiciary.”

The U.S. District Court in Denver said Nottingham “worked tirelessly to ensure that his courtroom and case management practices were premised on the law and applied fairly to all who appeared before him.” The court said Judge Wiley Y. Daniel would succeed him as chief judge.

As for former Qwest CEO Nacchio, his conviction was overturned by an appellate panel that said Nottingham erred by excluding an expert witness. The outcome of an en banc review of that decision is pending.

LB Readers: How might Nottingham’s resignation affect Nacchio’s appeal?

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on October 21, 2008 (boomark / email).