GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Following the November 2020 election, the city obtained legal services in regards to investigations of the general election.
Those services began in October of 2021.
Green Bay Deputy City Attorney Joanne Bungert says there are still pending matters at hand.
“All these services were being provided pro bono to the city,” Bungert said.
She says keeping the services right now are in the city’s best interest.
“With respect to the matters that we currently have,” Bungert said. “My recommendation would be retaining the services that we have in place with outside counsel with Law Forward, Stafford Rosenbaum, and States United at least through the August 30 hearing.”
A legal representation memo states that together, the attorneys of Law Forward, Stafford Rosenbaum, and States United Democracy Center have provided over 652 hours of billable service at no cost for the city.
To date, the legal services already provided are in excess of $250,000.
If the city were to pay for services in the second half of the year, counsel estimates a cost between $75,000 and $125,000.
District 12 Alder Jesse Brunette saying he thinks the money could come with an agenda.
“It makes me a little uncomfortable when the law firm that’s defending the city at no cost won’t disclose to us who their funders are have a political agenda,” said Brunette. “And they’re involved in a lot of lawsuits themselves, they have originated lawsuits against other parties. So I just think it’s completely appropriate for us to know who’s funding that before we can give 100% trust that they’re moving forward in a non political manner.”
Bungert adds when it comes to funding and donors, there are rules in place where they cannot have any influence.
“Regardless of whoever is paying the actual legal bills and cost, the attorney is beholden to the client,” said Bungert. “And their duties, and obligations, and oath is to that client regardless of whoever is paying the bills.”
The committee did not take any action on Tuesday night.
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