Minnesota Senate legal bill now nearly $85,000

The Minnesota Senate has a second legal bill to pay related to the firing of former Republican caucus staffer Michael Brodkorb.

The Senate has racked up nearly $85,000 in legal fees in preparation for a potential wrongful termination lawsuit that has yet to materialize. The latest $38,533 invoice from the Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren firm itemizes work in April and May, mostly for research and telephone calls. Secretary of the Senate Cal Ludeman released the new invoice today.

An earlier $46,150 invoice, which lawmakers have yet to pay, covered legal expenses in January through March. Attorney Dayle Nolan is working at an hourly rate of $330.

The Senate hired Nolan money to deal with legal threats from ex-employee Brodkorb, who was fired in December following the resignation of Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch from her leadership post. It was later revealed that the two were having an affair.

Members of the Senate Rules Committee are scheduled to meet Wednesday to approve payment of the first bill. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, has refused to sign off on the payment until there was a public hearing to discuss it.

Here's the document:

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