ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota Senate panel is meeting next week to go over legal costs stemming from the affair that brought down the GOP majority leader and cost a senior staffer his job.

The Rules and Administration Committee has scheduled a Wednesday hearing to consider approving payment of a $46,000 invoice from a Minneapolis law firm defending the Senate against legal action.

The Senate’s leading Democrat refused to consent to payment using taxpayer funds without the public hearing.

The costs are likely to grow because Michael Brodkorb is threatening to sue over his termination. He was fired soon after it was revealed that then-Majority Leader Amy Koch was involved in an extramarital affair. She gave up her top post and it was later revealed that Brodkorb was the other party.

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