HILO >> Hawaii County has spent nearly $250,000 to settle a complaint alleging former County Councilman Stacy Higa made sexual advances toward an aide.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela has told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald that the county denied any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement.

Melissa Chang filed the complaint in 2007 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A federal administrative law judge held the following year that the county allowed a hostile workplace.

Higa has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Kamelamela says the county’s legal tab to defend itself against a lawsuit filed by Higa has climbed to $33,000. It alleges Higa was denied legal representation needed to defend himself against the complaint.