On the eve of the filing of a taxpayerâs lawsuit that challenges the authorization of a special prosecutor to pursue a criminal case against a Beachwood city councilman, council voted to retain another lawyer to defend the city.
Beachwood Law Director Diane A. Calta told council it was necessary to retain Kenneth J. Fisher of Cleveland as special counsel because Beachwoodâs insurance agency wonât cover a taxpayerâs lawsuit and she expects the costs to rise above the $5,000 she is authorized to spend without council approval. She said there could be other claims as well.
At the Dec. 7 council meeting held virtually, council president James Pasch and councilman Mike Burkons recused themselves. Burkons is the plaintiff in the lawsuit.