DENVER -- Chief U.S. District Judge Edward W. Nottingham is reportedly going to resign amid allegations he told a former prostitute to lie to investigators and tell them he didn't pay for sex with her.

The latest claim came out Thursday during a local TV station's report.

7NEWS attempted to contact Nottingham at home and in his chambers. Nottingham did not come to the door and sources at the federal courthouse said he had not shown up for work even though he had a docket Friday that included a sentencing, three change of pleas, and a motion hearing.

A deputy district clerk said Nottingham's cases had been rescheduled or moved to another courtroom.

In 2007, a federal investigation revealed Nottingham's alleged involvement with Denver Players, a high-end prostitution ring. The U.S. District Attorney's office said no charges had been filed against Nottingham in relation to the case, though.

Guilty or not, many judges said they were shaking their heads over the claims. Former District Judge Jim Miller said it was "black-eye" to the profession.

"The judge may not have broken a law but it calls into question his fairness and objectivity as a judge," said Miller. "It undermines the confidence in the court."

It would take an impeachment by the Senate to remove Nottingham from the bench if he doesn't step down.

"I think it would be best if Judge Nottingham were to step down to allow the court the fresh start it needs," said U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.

President George W. Bush appointed Nottingham to the chief job on the federal bench, which is a lifelong appointment. Nottingham would submit his letter of resignation to the president who would then relay it to the 10th U.S. Judicial Court.

Nottingham's resignation would leave the 10th U.S. Judicial Court in a pinch. There is already one vacancy that remains to be filled.

Nottingham took up his position on the federal bench in November 1989. He became chief judge of the U.S. District Court for Colorado last year.

Nottingham is most famous for presiding over the insider trading trial of former Qwest Communications CEO Joe Nacchio, who was convicted of 19 counts of insider trading last year.