OTTAWA – The city of Ottawa said that retired Ottawa city attorney Robert Bezek’s legal troubles had nothing to do with the city’s legal business. In a written statement, Ottawa city manager Richard Nienstedt said the city was deeply troubled to learn of the proceedings against Bezek, who surrendered his license to practice law in Kansas the same day he retired from the city. In a formal notice issued last week, the Kansas Supreme Court said it was disbarring Bezek after the state received complaints that charged Bezek with violating judicial rules regarding competence, diligence, communication, reporting professional misconduct and misconduct. Bezek told KOFO he had no comment about the court’s action. “Citizens of the community can take comfort in knowing none of the issues raised in those proceedings concerned the legal business of the city or its citizens,” Nienstedt said. “I and the commission have confidence in our current legal counsel and I have directed counsel to conduct a thorough audit of all pending city legal matters to ensure the integrity and high standards that our citizens deserve.” Bezek was with the city for 28 years before he retired last month. Blaine Finch, former county counsel and city commissioner, and now state representative, has been named as the interim city attorney.
Monday, July 6, 4 p.m.
