City hires Cosby lawyer for Henon in FBI probe

Philly.com

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.

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