Attorney’s fees fight argued before justices
The auditor’s office, first under Phil Bryant and now under Stacey Pickering, has argued that the attorneys could only be paid by legislative action or through the attorney general’s “contingency fund” – a money pot created through fines and fees.
“It’s a great debate of public policy and how government is supposed to function,” Pickering said after the hearing. “This is an issue that has been going on for years, and I’m sure the Legislature will continue debating it until something is resolved.”
Justice Jess Dickinson said a ruling will be made “in due time” but no formal timeline has been set.
Hinds County Circuit Judge Winston Kidd ruled last year the payment was legal. Pickering appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Most of the arguments presented Wednesday focused on two provisions of state statute that deal with the attorney general hiring outside lawyers for the state. Each side argued the two attorneys from the Langston firm fall under different provisions in the state statute.
Clarion Ledger
6/9/11
