New York Consolidated Laws, County Law - CNT § 409. Actions and proceedings in official capacity

1. No officer whose compensation is paid from county funds shall employ an attorney-at-law to appear and prosecute or defend any civil action or proceeding brought by or against him in an official capacity whenever under the provisions of this chapter or other law it is made the duty of the district attorney or county attorney to prosecute or defend the same.

2. All damages recovered against, or costs and expenses lawfully incurred by any officer whose compensation is paid from county funds in the prosecution or defense of any civil action or proceeding brought by or against him for an official act done or for failure to perform an official act shall be a county charge and shall be audited and paid in the same manner as other county charges.  When the act upon which the action or proceeding is based was done in good faith, but without authority of law or authorization of the board of supervisors, the board of supervisors may audit and pay the same as other county charges.