Branstad's Defense Fees Near $500,000 in Godfrey Suit

The price tag for outside counsel to defend Gov. Terry Branstad and members of his administration in a lawsuit brought against them by state Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Christopher Godfrey is approaching half a million dollars, the Waterloo Cedar Rapids Courier newspaper reported April 7.The state Executive Council, comprised of the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor and secretary of agriculture, approved another $7,250 in legal fees Monday, raising the total to $494,509.  The council hired Des Moines attorney George LaMarca at $325 per hour to defen...