What are the fees for Gossom's legal defense? Taxpayers will pick up the tab.

County Judge Woody Gossom

Wichita County taxpayers will pay $300 to $275 an hour for attorneys defending Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom in a court of inquiry, according to a July 24 retainer agreement obtained Wednesday by the Times Record News through an open records request. 

In addition, the Austin law firm of Allison, Bass & Magee will charge $150 an for paralegals' services as the investigation goes forward into whether Gossom improperly signed off on obtaining state stipends for judicial duties, according to the contract. 

The firm's rate for travel time is $150 an hour, which it will bill instead of fees for services, according to the contract. 

"The Attorneys will provide Client with an itemized billing each month stating services rendered," the contract stated. 

However on Tuesday, the county judge said the law firm has not yet billed the county. 

In the contract, "Client" is specified as Gossom. 

Wichita County Treasurer Bob Hampton said on Tuesday that the county has not paid anything for Gossom's legal defense as far as he knows. 

Through an open records request Tuesday to the Wichita County District Attorney's Office, the Times Record News asked for a tally of any payments the county has made to date for the county judge's legal representation. 

More:Appeals court denies Gossom's request to stop investigation into his conduct

Gossom has denied the allegations leveled against him by now retired 78th District Judge Barney Fudge, who requested a court of inquiry on May 29. 

The contract with the law firm, signed by the county judge, notes the firm will charge $300 per hour for the work of attorneys who are partners and $275 an hour for those who are associates.

The firm will bill for a range of legal services from drafting documents to negotiations, according to the contract. 

What's more, the firm will charge for all direct out-of-pocket travel expenses, telephone, photocopying, facsimile, reports, studies and exhibits incurred in the investigation of the matter, according to the contract. 

The Austin law firm is representing him in a case "pertaining to his officials duties as County Judge of Wichita County," the contract stated. 

On Aug. 19, the Wichita County Commissioners Court approved a motion to retain counsel to represent Gossom, according to a previous Times Record News story

The approval came after a closed session, which the county judge recused himself from. The commissioners' stance was that the actions that gave rise to the inquiry were done in good faith and part of Gossom's official duties. 

More:Commissioners approve counsel for Gossom during inquiry

The court of inquiry is an investigation into whether there has been wrongdoing.

At a hearing yet to be scheduled, Senior Judge David Peeples of San Antonio will preside while attorneys present evidence. 

On Tuesday, Gossom said he would be glad when the issues can be aired, giving everyone a better understanding of them.  

More:Wichita County judge asks state judge to dismiss inquiry into his conduct

Peeples, who was appointed for the court of inquiry, will decide whether an arrest warrant will be issued at the end of it. He appointed two Tarrant County prosecutors to assist with the investigation.  

Among legal services rendered by the Austin firm so far are efforts to halt the inquiry. 

Monday, a Fort Worth appeals court denied Gossom's request to prohibit and shut down the inquiry, according to court documents. 

On Sept. 12, Peeples denied a similar request and ordered the court of inquiry to commence, according to court records. 

Fudge has accused Gossom of signing affidavits to obtain salary stipends for judicial duties he didn't perform, court documents showed. 

In addition to his county-funded pay of about $100,000 a year, the county judge received salary stipends from the state of $25,200 annually for 2016 through 2018, court records showed.

In the affidavits, he swears at least 40 percent of the functions he performs as county judge are judicial -- a requirement to receive the stipend, according to court records. 

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news, politics and more. She loves getting news tips. If you have a good one, contact Trish at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia