Bessemer hires lobbyist firm, awaits lawsuit

After failing last night to take action on Councilwoman Louise Alexander's legal bills, the Bessemer City Council on a 4-3 vote decided to hire HandprintBell, the controversial lobbyist firm to represent the city in Washington, D.C.

The city will pay Handprint $10,000 a month, despite objections that the city does not have enough money to pay its bills.

"You have to spend money to make money," chimed Alexander during debate.

Oh, and a lawsuit could be filed as soon as today to collect $367,000 in legal fees rung up by Alexander in her one-week trial for ethics charge violations

—Tribune staff report