San Diego paid law firm $37K for investigation into police chief

The city of San Diego paid a San Francisco law firm about $37,000 for a fact-finding investigation into Police Chief Scott Wahl earlier this year, according to four heavily redacted invoices released via public records request.

The “consultant services agreement” between the city and Renne Public Law Group shows it began in January. Four payments – one each in March, April, May and June – total $37,400.92.

The tasks listed on the invoices are largely redacted but they do show at least one report was generated, with the contract requiring a final written report to be provided to the city by Feb. 28, “unless the city agrees in writing to extend,” noting: “Time is of the essence.”

The contract also shows four employees of the law firm billed at a rate ranging from $125 per hour to $495 per