Taxpayer Money Could Be Used To Defend Daniel Holtzclaw In Civil Suit

Wednesday, October 7th 2015, 11:32 pm

By: News 9

Oklahoma City taxpayers could foot the bill to defend a now former Oklahoma City officer.

It involves a civil suit against Daniel Hotlzclaw and the city. Holtzclaw is in jail for criminal charges involving similar claims from other women.

There is more than one civil case against Holtzclaw, but this request involves paying legal fees for one of them. While the criminal case against former Oklahoma City Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw is playing out in court, civil suits are being filed by some of the women he's accused of sexually assaulting while on duty.

Back in July, Demetria Campbell filed suit against Holtzclaw and the city of Oklahoma City.

7/9/15 Related Story: Details Released In Civil Suit Filed Against Former OCPD Officer Accused On Preying On Women

Last month, city officials received a letter from local attorney Susan Knight. A city memo states the letter claimed "she will be representing former Officer Holtzclaw and requested that she be retained by the city to represent him."

The memo is from the municipal counselor and addressed to the mayor and city council. It recommends "the council retire into executive session to discuss the fact of this case and former Officer Holtzclaw's request for representation."

However, the request is not anything out of the ordinary.

Anyone can make a request to the city, and the council will "consider" it. This request stands out, because it's a high profile case.

The council will meet in executive session to discuss paying legal fees for Holtzclaw in a pending litigation case against him.

A decision is expected Tuesday, but neither the city nor the attorney making the request has commented.