MAYOR Ron Kim announced today that legal expenses for the Attorney General (AG) investigation of possible civil rights violations by Former Mayor Meg Kelly and Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton now exceed $35,000.
In July 2022 the Attorney General Leticia James opened up an investigation into possible civil rights violations of Black Lives Matters individuals who routinely attended Saratoga Springs City Council meetings to comment during public hearings held by prior Mayor Meg Kelly and Commissioner Robin Dalton from 2020 to 2022. As part of this investigation, the AG subpoenaed documents, phone records and other relevant materials from the City and these individuals.
The current City administration is required by City Code Section 9-1 and Public Offers Law Section 18 to pay for the legal representation of former officials.
Mayor Kim said: “I think it is important that City residents know exactly how their tax dollars are spent, particularly when it comes to legal representation. I am releasing the bills received from Kelly’s and Dalton’s attorneys that the City is required to pay as a result of the ongoing investigation into possible civil rights violations by each when in office to be fully transparent.”
Kim continued: “I expect that there will be additional bills that the City will be forced to fund as it is my understanding that the AG investigation continues, however I will continue to be fully transparent and accountable to Saratogians as to the status of our financial commitment via periodic reports at the City Council meetings.”