Council members want legal bills reviewed

Two City Council members Tuesday sought a review of the city’s outside legal bills, saying they wanted to know if too much money has been paid on recent claims, including one involving firefighter Tennie Pierce.

Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and Dennis Zine voiced dismay that the city spent $1.3 million to defend itself against a discrimination lawsuit filed by Pierce, who said he was hazed by fellow firefighters and fed spaghetti laced with dog food.

The costs were incurred by the firm Jones Day since December, when Zine first proposed that the city hire outside lawyers in the case. Zine requested outside lawyers in the days after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vetoed a $2.7 million settlement offer made to Pierce by the council.