As we reported back in June, Town Attorney Nancy Stuparich advised the Town Council that Florida law requires the town to cover the legal fees for Council members John King and Karen Woodson in their fight against the recall. Here’s what the bill is so far.
This week Beach Talk Radio News filed a public document request with the town, for all invoices submitted so far to attorney Morgan Bentley, who’s representing both Woodson and King in their recall fight.
Woodson has so far requested the town reimburse her for a $2,000 bill and King has requested reimbursement for a $5,737.50 bill. So before the lawsuits Woodson and King have filed against Bill Veach and Ray Murphy have even been addressed by a judge in the Circuit Court, Fort Myers Beach taxpayers are out nearly $8,000 of unbudgeted funds.
Taxpayers will also have to foot the bill for an election if the recall makes it that far. The Lee County Board of Elections estimates the cost of a special election at $25,000.
If FL law requires taxpayers to pay for their defense, why did all council members have to vote on this specifically, all but one voted yes. If three would have voted no, tax payers would not be paying for this. Nancy is wrong on this or you misunderstood her.
This is a drop in the bucket compared to what this town spends money on. Why don’t you share how the town spent over a million dollars on a drain cleaner, a sidewalk cleaner, 2 ford 150 trucks. It’s all public record. Talk about wasting taxpayers money. You should just stay out of what many of the people on the island support. No one is complaining about the cost of this but you and your out of state followers. And do the right thing and allow another side of the story instead of deleting any comments that doesn’t follow your narrative.
Why wouldn’t the legal fees be reimbursed after the verdict? Why wouldn’t they run up their legal fees? Hire the best attorney at any cost. It seems the taxpayer will pay them whether they are innocent or guilty. Is that right? This is a general question on the town’s policy.
i believe it was reported that fees will be reimbursed only if successful.
This hole mess would make a great TV series
Is filing lawsuits against Veach and Murphy defending against the recall which is what is required to be covered by the town?? Seems more of an offensive move than a defensive one. Where is the line??
A fool and his riches are soon parted.
So much foolishness.
Why are Kings expenses higher? More talk time going on there?
This is just sad