FARGO (AP) - Minnesota court officials have suspended a Cass County public defender from practicing law in that state, saying Richard Edinger mishandled his professional finances and lied to cover it up.

The Minnesota Supreme Court order said Edinger's accounting maneuvers amounted to "serious misconduct" but did not harm his clients. Edinger will be suspended for at least three months. He then can seek reinstatement.

Edinger, who was admitted to the bar in both states in 1996, said he takes responsibility for his actions.

"I made a mistake," he said. "However, it is important to know that none of my clients were hurt by my conduct."

In North Dakota, Edinger is one of five attorneys with a public contract to represent indigent defendants in cases in Cass, Steele and Traill counties.

The Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility began investigating Edinger in 2002 for overdrafts on his trust account. He responded to the inquiries with false statements and false documents, the justices said.

Edinger misrepresented three payments on his ledgers to hide the fact they were made to resolve disputes with clients over the adequacy of his representation, the order said.

Edinger eventually admitted to using the trust accounts for personal expenses and failing to keep appropriate records, the court said.

Justices said the monetary amounts involved were small.