CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) — Up to $90,000 in state funds have been authorized for private attorneys to represent the Rogers County district attorney and top assistants in legal complaints.
The money was approved by Attorney General Scott Pruitt for counsel to represent District Attorney Janice Steidley and Assistant District Attorney Bryce Lair.
The Claremore Daily Progress reports that the money was approved under a law allowing state agencies to hire outside counsel in disputes where the Oklahoma attorney general is unable to represent them due to possible conflict of interest or a lack of specialty legal experts.
Steidley has filed a defamation lawsuit against county leaders who led a petition drive to get her removed from office. A judge rejected the signatures last month, saying improper paperwork was used.