Votelaw, Edward Still's blog on law and politics

[Allegheny] County [Pennsylvania] Chief Executive Dan Onorato has authorized payment of a total of $328,273 to the three law firms that represented County Council's Democratic majority in reapportionment litigation.

The county Republican Party sued the Democrat-controlled council after members of the majority party drew new council districts that will put the GOP at a disadvantage in upcoming elections.

In a legal battle that dragged on for more than a year, the Republicans paid their lawyers with campaign funds, while the council Democrats sent their legal bills to the county government.

Last August, after the Democrats prevailed in court, council voted 11-3 to pay the party's bills with taxpayer money. But Republican Jim Roddey, the county executive at the time, did not send payment.

Onorato, a Democrat, has now paid the bills submitted by the legal team of Edward Still, David Armstrong and Jack Cambest. -- Democrats' lawyers paid in reapportionment litigation (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Thanks to Jeff Wice for the link.