Branstad testifies in discrimination suit

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad was deposed Wednesday by an attorney representing a former state official who claims he was discriminated against for being gay.

Chris Godfrey, a former state workers' compensation commissioner, sued Branstad and members of his administration in 2012 after the governor slashed his $112,068-a-year salary by $36,000 in 2011. Godfrey seeks $1 million in compensation, claiming defamation, harassment, sexual discrimination and extortion.

On Wednesday, Branstad gave out-of-court oral testimony on the issue.

Depositions are not open to the public or media, a state courts official said.

Branstad has denied he discriminated against Godfrey. He has claimed he was unaware Godfrey is gay.

A federal judge ruled earlier this year that defamation claims brought against Branstad and top administration officials by Godfrey should be decided by the Iowa court system rather than move on a parallel course via a federal proceeding. A Polk County judge recently ordered that a trial in the lawsuit would take place within the next 12 months.

Godfrey was appointed to a six-year term as the state's workers' compensation commissioner in 2009 by former Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat. Godfrey had been at odds with Branstad, a Republican, since he refused the governor's request in 2011 to step down from his post after Branstad defeated Culver in the 2010 election.