Despite doubts that his request did not meet the county’s legal criteria for approval, the Charlotte County Commission agreed to advance Commissioner Robert Skidmore $10,000 for his legal defense in a pending sexual-harassment lawsuit filed against him in federal court.

Fearing that the county’s exposure to potential damages could be disastrous, the commission — by a vote of 3-1 — approved Skidmore’s request to have his legal expenses prepaid by taxpayers in a case involving a former employee who alleges the commissioner sexually harassed her with innuendo, overt sexual comments and propositions, beginning in 2008.