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>> JUST AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF JUSTICE. LAURA: SPEAKING WITH KCCI FROM HIS WASHINGTON D.C. HOME., LESS THAN ONE HOUR AFTER LEARNING THE VERDICT CHR >> TO HAVE ALL OF THE EVIDENCE AND TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, THAT MEANT THE WORLD. LAURA: A SIX WEEK TRIAL ENDED IN VICTORY FOR GODFREY, MONDAY. THE FORMER STATE WORKERS COMPENSATION DIRECTOR SAYS FORMER GOVERNOR TERRY BRANDSTAD FIRED HIM BECAUSE OF HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THEN RETALIATED AGAINST HIM BY CUTTING HIS SALARY WHEN GODFREY REFUSED TO RESIGN BACK IN 2010. >> I’VE ALWAYS TREATED EVERYONE, GAY OR STRAIGHT, WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. LAURA: BRANSTAD BOLDLY DENIED GODFREY’S CLAIMS IN COURT AND EVEN BECAME EMOTIONAL WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE PRIDE HE TOOK IN HIS JOB AS GOVERNOR AND NOW AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA. >> I’M SORRY. LAURA: BUT MONDAY THE JURY RULED NOT ONLY DID BRANSTAD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST GODFREY AND RETALIATE, BUT HE ALSO VIOLATED HIS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. >> THIS JUST SHOWS THAT WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, EVEN IF IT HAPPENS FOR THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE STATE, THEY ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM HAVING A JURY LISTEN TO THE EVIDENCE AND DECIDE THEIR FATE. >> I THINK THAT IN GENERAL, WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD, BUT TO THINK THAT SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION IS OVER IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE. LAURA: GODFREY AND BRANSTAD SHOOK HANDS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIAL, BUT HAVE NOT SPOKEN.

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A jury ruled in favor of a former state employee who accused the former Iowa governor, currently Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, of discrimination.Former Iowa Worker's Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey will receive $1.5 million following a lawsuit accusing the former Iowa governor of discriminating against him in 2011 because he is gay and a Democrat.Godfrey alleged in the lawsuit that Branstad demanded his resignation despite having four years left in his term.When Godfrey refused, Branstad allegedly cut Godfrey's salary by $39,000 per year.Godfrey spoke with KCCI less than one hour after learning the verdict and said he felt vindicated."To have a jury listen to all of the evidence and to know what happened to me, that meant the world," Godfrey told KCCI from is home in Washington, D.C.Branstad denied Godfrey's claims in court and became emotional when talking about the pride he took in his job as governor and now as U.S. Ambassador to China."I have always treated everyone, gay or straight, with respect and dignity," he said in court.The jury ruled not only that Branstad discriminated and retaliated against Godfrey, but that he violated Godfrey's right to due process under the constitution.The state now must pay $1.5 million to Godfrey for past and future emotional distress. The state is also responsible for paying the defense's legal fees."This just shows that when something bad happens, even when it happens from the most powerful person in the state, they are not immune from having a jury listen to the evidence and decide their fate," Godfrey said."I am so glad that after eight long years, two trips to the Supreme Court and a six-week jury trial, we got justice for Chris Godfrey," said Roxanne Conlin, Godfrey's attorney.Conlin said jurors reviewed 2 million documents and listened to 100 witnesses before ruling with her client. She said she hopes the case will create positive changes in the state."I think that, in general, we have moved forward, but to think that sexual orientation discrimination is over is simply not the case," she said.KCCI was unable to reach Branstad for comment on the ruling.Gov. Kim Reynold's office released a statement on Monday saying they are disappointed in the verdict and consulting their attorneys.