PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council voted Wednesday to spend up to $4 million on legal services for representing the city amidst the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation.
In 2021, the federal agency announced it was launching an investigation into the city's police department. The results of the DOJ investigation have still not been revealed.
City officials have expressed frustration with how DOJ has conducted its years-long investigation and told the federal agency they're unwilling to agree to a resolution that "cedes control to the DOJ" in the form of a consent decree.
The council recently approved renewing an ongoing contract with Steptoe & Johnson LLP in the amount of $2 million to provide legal services in relation to the DOJ investigation. The council also approved another $2 million contract with Dentons US to provide additional legal services for litigating any potential DOJ-related issues.
"The purpose of this agreement is to provide legal services to assist the City on any legal issues, including potential negotiation and litigation, related to the DOJ civil pattern or practice investigation," city records state.
Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, expressed opposition for one of the legal contracts and questioned the benefit it would provide for the city.
"This is fiscally irresponsible and that money should be reallocated to help offset the huge loss in state tax revenue the city is going to experience in the foreseeable future," Kriplean told the council.
Arizona lawmakers recently passed a bill that prohibits cities from charging a rental tax starting in 2025. Arizona cities have been projected to lose up to $75 million in tax revenue during the first year.
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