Inmate seeking sex change eligible for legal fees

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BOSTON — A federal judge who ruled that a Massachusetts prison inmate is eligible for a state-funded sex change operation has determined that the inmate is also eligible for public reimbursement of legal fees.

Although the ruling released Sunday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mark Wolf does not say exactly how much Michelle Kosilek is eligible for, the case dates back years and the amount "is likely to be large."

The judge ruled earlier this month that the state prisons department violated Kosilek's rights by refusing to pay for a sex change.

Kosilek was born male but lives as a woman in an all-male prison. Kosilek was named Robert when married to Cheryl Kosilek and convicted of murdering her in 1990. Kosilek is serving a life term.