A judge has ordered Rep. Merrill Cook to pay $195,800 in legal fees from a protracted lawsuit over unpaid 1996 campaign debt.
The order could push Cook's overall cost in fighting the lawsuit filed by his 1996 campaign manager, Ron T. Nielson, above $600,000.
Cook, who represents Utah's 2nd Congressional District, is leaving office in January. He lost a Republican Party primary challenge to Derek Smith, who in turn lost in the Nov. 7 general election to Democrat Jim Matheson.
In January 1997, Nielson sued Cook for unpaid campaign work done on Cook's successful 1996 bid for the U.S. House of Representatives.
In April, a jury sided with Nielson, saying Cook owed him $174,471.
Attorneys on both sides expect 3rd District Judge Sandra Peuler to make a final ruling, ordering Cook to pay an amount close to the jury's original finding, plus interest and legal fees.