The two high-powered law firms tapped to represent the city in the string of federal and state investigations swirling around the de Blasio administration have quietly received no-bid contracts expected to cost taxpayers at least $10.75 million.
The city’s Law Department agreed to pay out $10 million through the end of the 2017 fiscal year to the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, which has been representing de Blasio and his operatives for months in regard to investigations of Hizzoner’s fund-raising activities.
The department also negotiated another, smaller contract awarded last month without competitive bidding with the law firm of Carter Ledyard & Milburn.
When asked whether the city expects to spend beyond the $10.75 million allocated, de Blasio spokesman Eric Phillips said, “We have no idea how long the outside reviews will last. We budget prudently.”
A spokesman for Comptroller Scott Stringer declined to comment.