Abortion clinic lawsuit costs rising; Contract benefits La. legislator

A contract that pays a state legislator for legal services related to a federal lawsuit over abortion clinic restrictions is getting more costly.

An amendment to the deal, awaiting final approval, will increase the maximum contract amount to $750,000 — seven times the original $100,000 ceiling.

The Jindal administration has signed off on the change to the contract with Duncan PLLC, a Washington, D.C., law firm headed by S. Kyle Duncan. State Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, is working as co-counsel.

State law generally bans legislators and certain other officials from entering into a contract with state government. But there is an exception when contracts are entered into prior to the official taking office, which Johnson said applies to his situation. But Johnson also questions whether the law even applies to him since he is a subcontractor.

Read more: http://theadvocate.com/news/13576196-123/abortion-clinic-lawsuit-costs-rising