In a move that seems to add insult to injury, City Council members voted this week to have taxpayers pick up the bill for private attorneys to represent city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro in his defense against a petition seeking to boot him from elective office.

The injury occurred in December, when Kaneshiro failed to step up by stepping away from his office amid reports that he’s a target of a federal probe. The insult: a $75,000 payment to retain a law firm.

Council members said they’re legally obligated to provide legal representation because allegations against Kaneshiro pertain to his performance as prosecutor.

Too bad a less-expensive move, such as tapping a public defender, was not an option.