Brentwood Halts Labor Attorney's Check

The City of Brentwood is withholding a $9,000 payment to labor attorney Chris Hesse because his office hasn't sent legal documents to the city, city administrator Bola Akande said.

The city owes the money to Hesse for legal services pertaining to personnel matters and the , a city report notes.

During a meeting on Monday, the Brentwood Board of Aldermen voted to hold the payment until the city receives documents related to the legal services. Ward 1 Alderman Anthony Harper was the only vote against holding the check.

The city first requested the documents on Aug. 24.

Following Monday's meeting, city attorney Frank Albrecht declined to offer any specifics about the situation because it involves "multiple city legal matters."

Hesse previously represented the city during personnel discussions. He was present during an emergency Board of Aldermen meeting the night before in March. Hesse also negotiated with the Brentwood firefighters' union in May regarding the .

In July, Patch first reported that Brentwood had paid for Hesse's representation. That's more than double from the previous year.

In August, the Board of Aldermen voted to hire a second labor attorney at $285 per hour. In a 5-2 vote, the board hired James Foster, a partner of Town and Country's McMahon Berger. Harper and Ward 3 Alderman Andy Leahy voted against the hire.

The check will be held until "current issues can be resolved amicably," as Leahy worded it during Monday's meeting.