A former lawyer for state House Democrats who was paid $1.3 million by taxpayers won't give caucus leaders a file on a public corruption investigation.

Bill Chadwick, who represented the caucus as a legislative bonus scandal unfolded, said Tuesday that House Majority Whip Bill DeWeese instructed him not to provide the file to the caucus. Chadwick represented the caucus and DeWeese while DeWeese was majority leader through 2007 and 2008.

DeWeese of Greene County asserted attorney-client privilege, said Chadwick, a former state inspector general. "I am ethically bound to honor a client's directions," he said.

"The taxpayers paid for Mr. Chadwick's services," House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne County, countered in an interview.

Eachus late Monday filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Democratic Caucus, asking a judge to order Chadwick to turn over the file.