Letter: High Cost Of MikeK Defense

A letter writer in the Coeur d’Alene Press takes issue with the handling and city expenses involved in Jim Brannon’s lawsuit against then Councilman Mike Kennedy re: Brannon’s five-vote loss in the 2009 City Council election. Les Wigen, who moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2009, writes:

“How many dollars did the Coeur d’Alene City Council pay for Mike Kennedy’s legal counsel for his 2009 election debacle, in the courts here in Coeur d’Alene, at the County Court House after winning by a 5-vote margin? The taxpayers of Coeur d’Alene were charged $69,660 for Mike Kennedy’s legal bill in his 2009 election defense issues. Mike Gridley recommended to the City Council, at their open public meeting “to pay the $69,660 legal bill for Mike Kennedy’s defense.” This is in the City’s Public records down at City Hall. Why didn’t Mike Kennedy use your office and your department for his legal counsel when you said you defend all 400 employees down at City Hall, stated in the Coeur d’Alene Press, Feb. 15?” Full letter here.

Thoughts?