Embattled Charlotte County Commissioner Robert Skidmore — who is at the center of two separate legal battles involving allegations of bribery, gender discrimination and sexual harassment — is asking the County Commission to pay for his legal defense up front.

“Under authority of a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, I am asking that the county pay in advance as I am unable to do so personally,” Skidmore said in a written petition submitted to County Attorney Janette Knowlton.