Failure to appear

Longtime Carlton County Attorney Thom Pertler essentially stopped going to work not long after his loss to challenger Lauri Ketola in the Nov. 6 General Election.

His absence is due to medical reasons, Pertler told the Pine Knot News via telephone last week, adding that it was a private matter and he hoped people would respect his family's privacy.

Pertler appointed Assistant County Attorney Jeffrey Boucher as "acting county attorney" on Nov. 13, a week after the election.

Carlton County Auditor/Treasurer Paul Gassert said he became aware that Pertler was not keeping regular office hours at th...