Noah Pransky for WTSP

TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Commission on Ethics is expected to deny Hillsborough County’s controversial petition to claim legal fees from a citizen watchdog who filed an unsuccessful ethics complaint against Commissioner Ken Hagan.

According to 10News’ partners at the Tampa Bay Times, an ethics commission attorney recommended denying the order, which will come before the commission this Friday, Jan. 19.

By a 4-3 vote, the county commission approved spending up to $10,000 on outside counsel to recover upwards of $8,000 spent on legal fees defending Hagan against ethics complaints filed by four citizens following 10Investigates’ 2015 series into his behind-the-scenes dealings with well-connected friend, political consultant, and lobbyist Beth Leytham. [READ MORE]