ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota senators are raising concerns about fast-growing legal bills connected to a sex scandal that brought down the GOP’s majority leader and a powerful aide.

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee on Wednesday approved payment of a nearly $85,000 bill from a private firm hired to defend it against threatened lawsuits. The Senate could face multiple lawsuits from fired employee Michael Brodkorb who was let go amid allegations of an extramarital affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

Democrats say taxpayer money shouldn’t necessarily go for the legal defense and they urged Republicans to arrange a private defense fund. Current Senate Majority Leader David Senjem says that option hasn’t been discussed and probably won’t be.

The invoice the committee approved covers legal work done by a Minneapolis firm through mid-May.