City hires Cosby lawyer for Henon in FBI probe
The city has hired a criminal defense lawyer for Councilman Bobby Henon, whose offices were searched by the FBI in August.
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The city has hired a criminal defense lawyer for Councilman Bobby Henon, whose offices were searched by the FBI in August.
Brian McMonagle, currently the lead attorney defending comedian Bill Cosby in his criminal sexual assault case, will counsel Henon at the city's standard rate of $225 an hour, city officials said.
"The Law Department routinely retains qualified outside counsel to advise City officials and employees regarding government investigations that relate to the performance of their official duties," the Law Department said in an emailed statement.
Henon did not respond to a request for comment placed through his council office.
McMonagle has formerly represented rappers, high-profile politicians, and Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, who faced two scathing grand jury investigations of child sex abuse complaints in the archdiocese.
In 2014, McMonagle represented Richard North, a political consultant who was accused of stealing almost $50,000 from Henon's campaign. North pleaded guilty in that case.
McMonagle's hiring was first reported by the website City and State Pennsylvania. Queried by the Inquirer earlier this week, Henon's office did not answer whether he had retained counsel.
On Thursday, at City Council's first full meeting since summer recess, Henon said he had spoken with outside counsel, but did not say who it was or describe the circumstances.
Courtney Voss, Henon's chief of staff, recently hired an attorney to represent her during the investigation.
The FBI searched Henon's City Hall and district offices on Aug. 5 as part of an investigation into International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 and its leader John Dougherty. Henon, a former Local 98 political director, is still on the union's payroll.
The Law Department did not answer questions on specific reasons McMonagle was retained for Henon, but said in its statement it is standard procedure to bring in outside counsel if there's the possibility of a conflict of interest.
If the federal investigation turns out to be unrelated to Henon's official duties as a member of council, or if criminal charges result, the city will stop paying legal fees. In that case, the city can recoup attorney's fees and costs paid on Henon's behalf through his wages or pension fund payments, the law department said.
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