Taxpayers will foot the bill to defend Spokane County Coroner Dexter Amend against a charge of moral turpitude filed by state health officials last week, county commissioners decided Tuesday.
If found guilty, Amend, a retired urologist, could lose his medical license, have it suspended or pay a fine.
Commissioner Steve Hasson objected, saying the coroner's medical license has nothing to do with his elected position. He doesn't even need it to serve, Hasson said.