RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia taxpayers could be on the hook for more than $10 million in legal fees related to three redistricting lawsuits.
The state has already paid more than $6 million in legal fees related to the cases. Of that, the GOP-led House of Delegates has paid lawyers about $4.5 million defending the map lawmakers drew in 2011 for state legislative and congressional districts.
Perkins Coie, the law firm that's represented Democrats in two federal lawsuits, is seeking about $4 million in legal fees from the state. The firm recently won a ruling in a case accusing lawmakers of illegally packing black voters into certain legislative districts to make surrounding districts whiter and more Republican.
Republicans are appealing that decision, which could mean more legal costs.
