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(AP) - Former Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger
won't be able to practice law for at least 18 months after the
Minnesota Supreme Court indefinitely suspended his law license.

      The punishment was announced Friday and comes three months after
the state lawyers board accused him of misusing money from a
client's lawsuit settlement.

      Hottinger, a Democrat who left the Legislature after the 2006
session, previously admitted that the infraction took place while
he was still a legislator. 

He has said he effectively borrowed
$8,820 over six months from the settlement. He said he used the
money to help pay his mortgage and always planned to replenish the
account.

      Hottinger won't be allowed to apply for the reinstatement of his
law license for 18 months and only after he completes ethics
portions of the state bar exam.

      Hottinger said by e-mail that the decision comes as no surprise.
He said he and the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
mutually agreed to the suspension in a petition to the court.

      "I made a serious mistake, I promptly acknowledged it, I
cooperated with the Office and I accept the consequences,"
Hottinger said.

      In the Supreme Court's order, filed Wednesday, justices said
misuse of client funds can lead to disbarment but the punishment is
in line with discipline in other cases.

      "The court further notes that respondent has no prior
disciplinary history in over 34 years of practice, has exhibited
genuine remorse for his conduct, has made complete restitution of
all missing funds, has done significant pro bono work throughout
the course of his legal career, and has been a long-time public
servant," Justice Helen Meyer wrote in her three-page order.

      In one filing with the court, Hottinger listed his long record
of public service in Minnesota and elsewhere. He noted that he
spent nearly $40,000 of his own money representing a Texas inmate
on death row.

      The account he misused was created after a $22,000 settlement he
reached Jan. 10, 2006 on behalf of a client identified only by her
initials. It was meant to pay her legal and medical bills and other
costs. Hottinger personally received $4,910 for representing the
woman.

      Hottinger has been working as a lobbyist. He severed ties with
some of his clients after the allegations became public. But he
still is registered on behalf of the Ready 4 K advocacy group.

      During his 16 years in office, Hottinger served one session - in
2003 - as the Senate's leader, but was replaced in that post later
that year.

      Hottinger has been a licensed attorney in Minnesota since 1972,
but he has said he no longer actively practices law.

Gallery

Former Senate majority leader could lose law license

Crime, Law and Justice

Brian Bakst, Associated Press

Author

The punishment against former Sen. John Hottinger comes three months after
the state lawyers board accused him of misusing money from a client's lawsuit settlement.


Court suspends law license of former Senate majority leader

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