BLOOMINGTON - Financial issues may force Bloomington police officer Jeff Pelo to change attorneys or result in county taxpayers paying a portion of his legal defense on charges that he sexually assaulted four women.

Pelo, 42, seemed surprised Thursday by a suggestion from defense attorney Jay Elmore that the county pay legal costs after the Pelo family exhausts the money they can pay toward the case. Elmore and co-counsel Michael Costello filed a motion Monday to withdraw from the case because of financial considerations.

Pelo, a sergeant with the department, was charged in June with attempted residential burglary and stalking after he was reportedly spotted by another officer outside a woman's east-side home. He subsequently was charged in the rapes of four women between December 2002 and January 2005. Pelo, who remains jailed in lieu of bond, continues to draw his $80,000 annual salary and is on administrative leave.

Elmore told Judge Robert Freitag that Pelo's wife, Rickielee Pelo, has contacted an attorney in Chicago about handling the defense.

The development in the Pelo case would be the second time the defense has changed attorneys. Steve Skelton left the case in February for health reasons.

Freitag said a hearing would be necessary to determine if public funds would be used to pay a portion of the legal fees. He said evidence would be required to examine the Pelos' finances, including living expenses and the ability to pay attorney costs.

Elmore said after the hearing that the defense team regrets the situation.

"We don't want to withdraw. We feel really bad, but the financial arrangements clearly couldn't be met," said Elmore.

The Springfield attorney declined to disclose the amount of the legal fees but said "six figures for defense costs for a case like this wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility."

In addition to the two attorneys, the defense also needs an investigator to assist with the case, said Elmore.

County has paid fees before

Dividing defense costs between private individuals and a public body is not unprecedented in McLean County. In 1995, the county paid $53,000 in fees for two attorneys and an investigator in the murder case of Dale Fosdick. Fosdick was deemed indigent after he exhausted his own ability to pay for his defense against charges that he murdered Kim Wenger in May 1993.

Assistant State's Attorney Mark Messman took no position on the defense offer to remain on the case with financial assistance from taxpayers.

"I don't get involved in that," said Messman, unless the attorney matter involves an ethical or conflict of interest question.

A May 24 hearing is set to determine if a new private attorney has been hired or if the current defense team will continue with help from taxpayers.

Pelo has pleaded innocent to all charges. He remains jailed in lieu of $200,000 bond.