City may get West's legal bills Mike Prager / Staff writer May 18, 2005 © The Spokesman-Review 2005 Spokane Mayor Jim West's private legal bills stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct in office may be left for city taxpayers to pick up. City Attorney Mike Connelly said the city generally pays individual legal costs incurred by its elected officials. State law and city code may allow for the reimbursements, but the City Council would have to approve payment. West has assembled a team of Spokane lawyers, including attorneys Bill Etter and Michael McMahon, to defend him in a recall petition,...