Branstad Wants Verdict Thrown Out in Gay-Discrimination Case by Comp Commissioner

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 | 0

Calling the case against him a “political circus,” a lawyer for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has asked a court to set aside a $1.5 million verdict that found that Branstad discriminated against the state's former workers' compensation commissioner.

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad

An Iowa jury last month awarded former Commissioner Chris Godfrey the damages after Godfrey argued in court that Branstad made a concerted effort to remove Godfrey from office in 2011, before his term was finished, all because Godfrey is gay and Branstad is a party-line Republican.

Branstad's attorney Frank Harty said in a motion filed last week that the judge should either dismiss the lawsuit or order a new trial, according to a local news report. Harty said the verdict is not supported by substantial evidence and is contrary to law.

He called the case "a political circus with the court serving as ring master."

Godfrey's attorney, Roxanne Conlin, said the issues were thoroughly dealt with during the trial and re-litigating them at the trial court level would be a waste of time and money.