Branstad calls for release of report that led to Iowa DCI agent's firing

UPDATE: Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad challenged a fired investigator to allow the state to release to a 500-page report describing what led up to Special Agent in Charge Larry Hedlund's termination this week.

“Based on what I know, I believe what they did was a fair and just decision,” Branstad said of public safety officials who fired Hedlund. “I would love to tell you everything, but the lawyers tell me I can't.”

Branstad went on the offensive during a news conference Thursday, denouncing Hedlund's claim that he was fired for complaining when state troopers did not stop a state-owned SUV speeding with Branstad aboard.

The governor also called for reversal of laws that require state officials to keep personnel matters secret.

“That person and his attorney are using that (Iowa's confidentiality laws) as a weapon to make false allegations,” Branstad said of Hedlund and attorney Tom Duff.

Hedlund, a 25-year investigator for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, was fired Wednesday for insubordination, using a disrespectful tone to his supervisor and driving a state car on his day off, according to a three-page termination letter signed by Chari Paulson, director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Hedlund, 55, was put on paid leave May 1, two days after writing an email to his supervisors complaining state troopers did not pull over a speeding SUV that was carrying Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds April 26 on U.S. Highway 20.  Hedlund spotted the SUV driving about 90 mph and reported the car to dispatch.

A trooper who pursued the SUV did not initially know it carried the governor because the car's plates were not listed in computerized files. He aborted the pursuit when he realized the car was driven by a fellow trooper.

But Iowans do not know the whole story, Branstad said.

He has asked the Iowa Attorney General to ask Duff and Hedlund to allow the state to release a complete investigative report.

Duff and Hedlund had not seen the report Thursday afternoon and Duff said they would need to review it before deciding whether to release it to the media. Hedlund plans to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against the state.

Branstad said he will ask the new Iowa Public Information Board to look into whether Iowa law should be changed so that state officials can defend their actions when it comes to high-profile terminations. Iowa Code Chapter 22, which provides for examination of public records, exempts “confidential personnel records of government bodies relating to identified or identifiable individuals.”

Branstad wants to see other changes following the April 26 speeding incident, including a review of the 3,200 state vehicles whose license plates are not listed in computerized files.

These cars are immune to traffic tickets in several Iowa cities with electronic traffic cameras.

“I want the DOT to review that,” Branstad said. “I expect that number to be dramatically reduced.”

Further, state troopers not on emergency business will be told not to exceed speed limits, Branstad said.

“We need to obey the speeding laws and traffic laws,” he said. “I don't want to see another incident like this one.”

Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, said Hedlund's firing is an indication of internal problems at the Public Safety Department.

“I don't think the commissioner has a process for professionally addressing disagreements. It's ‘my way or the highway',” Danielson said of Public Safety Commissioner K. Brian London, hired in September.

Danielson voted against London's confirmation in April, saying London's decisions to dismiss and reassign personnel had hurt morale. Five others besides Hedlund have been dismissed from the department, Branstad said.

Danielson is concerned Hedlund's firing will leave the state shorthanded to cover major crimes.

“We have more DCI agents staffing casino security than on significant crimes,” Danielson said. “Mr. Hedlund was one of four supervisors in charge of a very large region.”

Hedlund had led the investigation into the murders of two cousins abducted last year from Evansdale. Continuity is important in extended criminal investigations, Danielson said, and now the Evansdale probe will need to be reassigned.