DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A criminal investigator, fired after complaining about speeding by Gov. Terry Branstad’s security detail, is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to allow his wrongful termination lawsuit to proceed.
Justices heard arguments Thursday in the case of former Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund, who was fired in 2013 after complaining to superiors that a speeding trooper driving Branstad was let go without consequences.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety denies retaliation, claiming Hedlund was insubordinate.
Hedlund’s attorney, Tom Duff, asked justices to reinstate Hedlund’s claim that he was fired in violation of public policy. He says Branstad gave Hedlund’s career a “death knell” when the governor suggested he was a safety concern.
Assistant attorney general Jeff Peterzalek says Hedlund was required to challenge his termination administratively, not in court.