Iowa development lawsuit headed to trial

DES MOINES - An advocacy group's request for records detailing communication between the state and a developer who is being sued by investors is headed to trial.

A Polk County District Court judge on Tuesday set a Dec. 18 trial date for the case, in which Progress Iowa seeks records of any communication between Burlington developer Randy Danniel and the state regarding his company, Iowa Logistics Development Company Inc.

In a separate lawsuit, 11 Iowans who said they invested millions of dollars in Danniel's company are suing him, claiming he misrepresented a project and used the invested funds for his personal gain.

Progress Iowa requested any records that show communication between Danniel and Gov. Terry Branstad's office or the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Danniel asked a judge to prevent the records' release after the state notified Danniel of the records request.

In a Polk County District Court hearing Tuesday, an attorney representing the state said the records request involves 'maybe 100” documents.

Judge Lawrence McLellan told attorneys he will view the documents and determine whether to allow Progress Iowa's attorney to see them before the trial.

'We have high expectations that the Court will recognize our ability to participate in these proceedings,” Progress Iowa executive director Matt Sinovic said in a statement. 'We will continue to advocate for the timely release of these public documents which will give the public the chance to see how their government works. We look forward to moving ahead with this case and uncovering the truth from the Branstad administration.”