St. Cloud Lawyer Has License Suspended

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Supreme Court has suspended the license of a St. Cloud lawyer who also served as St. Cloud's mayor.

The high court ruled John Ellenbecker be suspended from practicing law for 90 days. It also calls for a two-year probation period.

The discipline was handed down after the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition against Ellenbecker.

Records show, Ellenbecker was accused of committing professional misconduct, namely, engaging in a pattern of neglect and inadequate communication with clients, misusing his trust account, failing to maintain the required trust account books and records and failing to cooperate with the Director's investigation.

If and when Ellenbecker is reinstated to practice law, he is to be supervised by a licensed Minnesota attorney to ensure compliance.

Ellenbecker was St. Cloud's mayor from 2001-2005.