Former St. John's mayor Andy Wells says he will be very careful as he approaches businesses and individuals for help in paying his legal bills. (CBC)

Former St. John's Mayor Andy Wells is soliciting private companies and citizens to help pay off a substantial personal debt resulting from court actions.

Wells would not agree to a taped interview, and declined to say what companies are being solicited.

But Wells, who resigned as mayor in March after a 30-year municipal career to become the full-time chair of the Public Utilities Board, told CBC News that he is being very careful with his fundraising.

"Whatever I'm doing," he said, "conflict of interest won't be an issue."

Wells's legal bills date back to a 2003 St. John's city council meeting, when Coun. Paul Sears accused Wells of not collecting unpaid taxes from companies that donated to his election campaigns.

Wells sued Sears for defamation and won the lawsuit, although he lost it on appeal, and was ordered to pay Sears's legal bills as well as repay the original settlement.

The overall cost to Wells was more than $100,000.

The fundraising plan is to hold a $100-a-plate appreciation dinner for Wells at a golf course at the end of this month.

Sears, who was defeated in the 2005 council election but is currently running for deputy mayor in the June 3 byelection, said Premier Danny Williams — who appointed Wells to the PUB job — should step in.

"Andy does his own thing. He always has," Sears said in an interview.

Sears said that as Wells is soliciting donations while serving as the head of the PUB, there is a potential for a conflict of interest, as various companies and law firms appear before the regulator.

Sears said that someone should oversee Wells's appeal for financial aid.

"The premier has to be the one in this particular case, because he is the one who decided to put his trust in Mr. Wells, to put him in that role," Sears said.

An official in the premier's office said Williams was not aware that Wells had been canvassing for donations. The premier's office said if a conflict of interest is identified, the premier or the appropriate minister would look into it.

Wells has enlisted Kevin Breen, another former St. John's councillor, to help collect funds to pay his outstanding bills.

Among those contacted for a donation was prominent St. John's developer Derm Dobbin. An assistant in his office told CBC News that Dobbin is "not part of [the fundraising effort] at all" and that Dobbin "feels it is inappropriate " for him to be involved at this time.

Breen told CBC News Thursday that he is doing everything he can to avoid any conflict while raising money for Wells.

"We are studiously avoiding any apprehension of conflict in that anybody who has anything directly or indirectly to do with any of the regulatory situations with the PUB are being avoided at all costs," Breen said.

That, Breen said, means steering clear of donations from energy companies, insurance companies and certain law firms.

Breen said he hopes to raise $15,000 for Wells at the fundraising dinner.

Wells would not say what steps he is taking to avoid a conflict of interest, but said he "will ensure there is not even an appearance of a conflict."