Ex-St. Cloud mayor accused of attorney misconduct

A lawyers' standards board has filed a petition accusing former St. Cloud Mayor John Ellenbecker of unprofessional conduct.

The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility alleges Ellenbecker didn't return an audiotape to a client. It also accuses him of failing to pay a private investigator even after ordered to do so by a court.

The petition also says Ellenbecker hasn't cooperated with the office, which is an agency of the Minnesota Supreme Court that handles complaints against lawyers.

Ellenbecker didn't return a call Thursday seeking comment.

He was elected mayor of St. Cloud in 2001 but lost a re-election bid in 2005 to Dave Kleis.

He has 20 days to respond to the allegations.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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