The office of New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says some $606,000 in legal defense fees incurred by ex-Senate Leader Joseph Bruno are unjustified and shouldn't be reimbursed by taxpayers. But - in a letter Wednesday DiNapoli's office said it has approved another $1.8 million for Bruno's legal expenses.
The 86-year-old Rensselaer County Republican was acquitted last year on charges that he took bribes to direct state grants to a businessman. Bruno has sought state reimbursement for $2.4 million of his legal bills.
DiNapoli's office rejected $606,000 in reimbursements for what it said were excessive fees and unjustified expenses.
An attorney for Bruno says he will submit additional documentation to validate some of the disallowed expenses.
Bruno led the Senate majority for 14 years before stepping down in 2008.
© 2014 AP
