Update: "Retention Agreement" for Hinds County's outside counsel - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Update: "Retention Agreement" for Hinds County's outside counsel obtained

Posted: Updated:
By Cheryl Lasseter - bio | email
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

On Friday, we told you that Hinds County had hired an outside attorney, Precious Martin, for its lawsuit against Motorola. The suit, concerning allegations that Motorola allowed third parties access to the county's emergency communications system, was settled out of court two months ago. The county came out on top.

Blogging website www.jacksonjambalaya.com has shared a copy of Precious Martin's retention agreement with 3 On Your Side. Martin gets 33 1/3 percent of any damages Hinds County recovers after filing suit.

So how much will he make off the Motorola settlement? Those records are being kept secret.

"All these facts are being shrouded in secrecy, hidden from the public. This is the public's money," says Attorney Curt Crowley, who is representing Jackson Jambalaya in trying to get those records unsealed. WLBT plans to join in as interveners.

Precious Martin's wife, Crystal, is the attorney for the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. Wouldn't it save money to use council that's already on the payroll? "There are things Hinds County might have an interest in keeping secret or away from public view. We just don't know," Crowley says.

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.

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