New York's top lawyer is paid to protect the public. Her opponent says she paid $20 million to let outside firms do her job instead.

Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy accuses Letitia James of giving rich contracts to law firms whose staff donated to her campaign.

When you pay taxes, you trust your leaders to use that money to keep you safe. But a new fight in New York shows how easily your cash can end up in the hands of wealthy private lawyers.

WHAT HAPPENED

Republican candidate Saritha Komatireddy claims New York Attorney General Letitia James spent $20 million on outside law firms. Komatireddy says James should have used her own staff for this work.

At the same time, state lawmakers expanded a special $10 million fund. This fund helps state leaders pay for their personal legal troubles.

Komatireddy points out that many lawyers at these private firms gave money to James's political campaign. She calls the spending an insult to taxpayers who are already struggling to pay their bills.

WHAT THE MONEY SHOWS

$20 million*: The amount James is accused of spending on outside law firms.

• $10 million: The size of the state fund used to help leaders with personal legal bills.
• 145 lawyers: The number of staff at those outside firms who gave money to James's campaign.
• $23,000: The total amount those lawyers donated to James.
• $575,000: The contract size for one firm, Davis Polk, to handle a lawsuit for James's office.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Why do we pay for a massive state legal team if we still hire outside firms? It is a question of trust. When private lawyers donate to a leader, then get state contracts, it makes regular people feel the system is unfair.

We need to ask if these deals are truly best for the public, or just good for the well-connected.

THE OTHER SIDE

Letitia James and her team have not yet given a full response to these specific claims. However, supporters of the legal fund say state officials need protection from party attacks. They also note that private firms are often needed for highly complex cases.

The evidence shows a pattern of donations and contracts, but there is no proof of any crime.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

This fight will likely grow hotter as the election comes closer. Taxpayers in New York will have to decide who they trust to run the state's legal system.

If these claims gain traction, it could force the state to change how it hands out legal contracts.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Did the outside firms do work that state lawyers could have easily handled?
2. How much did James know about the campaign donations from these specific lawyers?
3. Will federal agents find any wrongdoing in James's personal finances?