What is it with these guys not wanting to pay their own legal bills?

First there was L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa raising $123,500 to pay fines and legal fees in connection with the mini-scandal involving his accepting free tickets to concerts and ballgames. Now comes word that Sean Harrigan, who Villaraigosa appointed to the Fire and Police Pensions Board, wants to be reimbursed for legal bills stemming from an SEC investigation. At least Villaraigosa just went to his political pals; Harrigan is asking taxpayers to fork over the money. From the LAT:

Lawyers for City Atty. Carmen Trutanich have refused to pay the bills, saying Harrigan failed to provide details of the SEC proceeding and never obtained permission from the city to hire a private attorney to defend him as a city commissioner. "We have not received sufficient information to justify the payment of his fees," said Bill Carter, Trutanich's chief deputy.

[CUT]

The Times reported last year that Harrigan, a former executive with the United Food and Commercial Workers, set up his own pension consulting business shortly after Villaraigosa put him on the Fire and Police Pensions board. One of his clients sought legal business with Harrigan's agency while he was board president. The Times also reported that Harrigan voted to invest $30 million in a fund managed by CIM Group at the same time that he was renting a 640-square-foot apartment at CIM's Gas Co. Lofts. That apartment made it possible for Harrigan, a resident of Corona in Riverside County, to join the retirement board.