The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered an attorney from Farwell, a small town in Pope County, suspended indefinitely for professional misconduct.

Kenneth Bottema neglected client matters, failed to communicate with a client, made false statements to a client and failed to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation, according to a petition for disciplinary action filed by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.

He was suspended in October 2012, when he couldn't be served with the petition, but was given a year to fight the suspension. By last November, he still hadn't responded.

Bottema, 48, was given the opportunity to tell the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility why he shouldn't be disciplined. He was also asked to suggest an appropriate discipline. Again, he failed to respond. He is allowed to petition for reinstatement.

DAVID CHANEN