ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota Senate aide’s firing a year ago is reverberating anew as lawmakers meet to discuss mounting legal bills from fighting his lawsuit.

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee was convening Thursday to approve payment of the latest $90,000 invoice from a private firm defending the chamber against claims by Michael Brodkorb.

The total legal costs are now twice as much as Brodkorb’s $90,000 annual salary as a communications aide to Senate Republicans. He was fired after his affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch became public. He is suing on grounds he was improperly terminated.

Senate lawyers contend Brodkorb was an at-will employee who could be let go at any time. Settlement talks have gone nowhere.

The hearing is likely the last before Republicans cede Senate control to Democrats.

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