San Bernardino could spend up to $50,000 on an attorney to defend Mayor John Valdivia against claims of sexual harassment and hostile work environment by two former and one current city employee.

City leaders will discuss the item Wednesday, April 15.

According to state law, an elected official can seek city-funded legal defense of civil claims and actions.

A city can refuse such a request, however, if the behavior in question was not within the course and scope of employment; the employee acted with actual fraud, corruption or malice; or the defense would not create a specific conflict of interest between it and the employee.

Legal representation can be provided through the city, outside counsel or an insurer.

Before council members Wednesday is an initial list of outside attorneys and their respective rates, as well as a proposal to spend no more than $50,000 for the initial phase of reviewing and responding to the claims.

Such a contract can be absorbed in the City Attorney’s fiscal 2019-20 budget, staffers say.

Five people in the past two months have accused Valdivia of sexual harassment and hostile work environment.

Three have filed claims with the city.

San Bernardino’s top elected official has called the allegations false and politically motivated, declining further comment until the city concludes its investigation into the matter.

On Feb. 5, former city employees Mirna Cisneros and Karen Cervantes accused Valdivia of belittling, berating and subjecting them to offensive and graphic sexual innuendos and comments, creating the hostile work environment that they say prompted their resignations in late January.

Jackie Aboud, a third former San Bernardino employee, went public three weeks later with similar hostile work environment allegations.

City commissioner Alissa Payne and part-time legislative field representative Don Smith have since accused Valdivia of abusing his power.

Prior to and early in his tenure as mayor, Valdivia was admonished by city officials for behavior that interfered with the administration of the city and was in violation of the Municipal Code.

Two years ago, former City Attorney Gary Saenz explicitly warned the two-term councilman that his conduct could expose the city to liability related to a hostile work environment.

In light of the recent allegations, Councilwoman Sandra Ibarra has urged Valdivia to step down if they are true.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands, has called for the mayor to step down immediately.

The City Council’s web conference begins at 7 p.m. and can be streamed at sbcity.org.