SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS Get local stories sent straight to your inbox as news breaks. Submit Privacy Notice

Judge orders trial in lawsuit against former Gov. Terry Branstad Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT The Iowa Supreme Court says a lawsuit by the State Workers Compensation Commissioner, against Governor Branstad, must be heard by a judge and jury. Christopher Godfrey was appointed to the job in 2009. But when Governor Branstad took office - he demanded Godfrey resign. KCCI's Marcus McIntosh live with our top story. Kevin and Stacey ....both sides in the case are declaring today's ruling a victory. The 43 page decision filed by the Iowa supreme court was issued about 8:15 this morning. The 5-2 decision overturns a district court judges ruling that Governor Branstad and his aides could not be sued by Christopher Godfrey for defamation and other claims.... Godfrey's attorney Roxanne Conlin says midway through reading the first page of the ruling she knew it was a victory for her side. =========== SOT IN 5:02 ALL I NEEDED TO SEE WAS REVERSED AND REMANDED. ========== Conlin says what the governor did was wrong and is glad the state supreme court agrees...the governor cut Godfrey's pay by 39 thousand dollars after Godfrey refused demands to resign in 2011. Conlin calls this not only a victory for her client but for all iowans and a slap to partisian politics. ===== SOT IN CONLIN 1:16 THE GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH JUDICIAL INDEPENDENC E. CHRIS GODFREY IS WORKERS COMPENSATIO N COMMISSIONE R. HE DECIDES CASES ON THE BASIS OF FACTS AND LAW AND NOT NOT THE BASIS OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY. ============= Governor Branstad's office does not comment on ongoing litigation... George A. LaMarca the attorney representing the state in this case released a statement....Tha t does not appear to concede victory. "We are pleased that while this decision adds a new rule to the process, it will not change the outcome of the case. We fully expect the trial Judge will find - as the Attorney General did - that the Governor was acting within his official duties both when he did not pay the Commissioner the highest salary allowed by law and also when he gave the public his reasons." Governor Governor Branstad is not alone on the lawsuit...listed with him ...lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, the governors Chief of staff Jeff Boeyink, the governor's legal counsel Brenna Findley and former spokes person Tim Albrecht and Teresa Wahlert. As for when we could see a resolution ...there is no trial date set. Marcus McIntosh, thank you.