Private Lawyer to Investigate Payment to Airport Lobbyist

The Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to spend up to $25,000 hiring a private attorney to help investigate the payment of $24,500 in 1994 to Webster L. Hubbell for lobbying on behalf of the airport.

Hubbell, who is serving prison time for bilking clients of more than $400,000 at the Rose law firm in Little Rock, Ark., was hired by then-Airport Commission President Ted Stein, who is now running for city attorney. City Controller Rick Tuttle, who is looking into whether Hubbell performed the work, asked for a private lawyer because the incumbent city attorney would have a conflict of interest.