Godfrey leaving Iowa post for federal job

DES MOINES - Christopher Godfrey, who is leaving his state job to accept a federal post, is being praised for his work to balance the needs of injured workers with employer costs.

'It is with a heavy heart that I congratulate Chris Godfrey, Iowa's Workers' Compensation Commissioner, on his appointment to the federal Employees' Compensation Appeals Board,” said state Sen. Bill Dotzler, co-leader of the joint House-Senate Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

'Under his leadership, Iowa's Workers' Compensation System was ranked the most effective system in the nation,” Dotzler said in a statement. 'Iowa's loss of Chris Godfrey is a victory for federal workers who are injured on the job and deserve a fair hearing.”

In a resignation letter Monday, Godfrey said his final day as commissioner would be Aug. 21. He said he planned to begin work Aug. 25 as chief judge of the Employees' Compensation Appeal Board (ECAB) in Washington, D.C.

Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers said no timetable has been set for naming Godfrey's successor. 'Our office won't be commenting further on matters related to ongoing litigation,” he added.

Godfrey was appointed to a six-year term as the state's worker's compensation commissioner in 2009 by former Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat. He has 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.

Godfrey 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 - who is gay - seeks $1 million in compensation, claiming defamation, harassment, sexual discrimination and extortion.

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 take place within the next 12 months.

Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, Branstad's opponent in the 2014 governor's race, issued a statement Monday congratulating Godfrey on his federal appointment.

'Chris is a talented lawyer and dedicated public servant. He's provided exemplary service on the Iowa Worker's Compensation Commission,” Hatch said in his statement. 'The governor's actions, including reducing his pay and forcing Chris to file a lawsuit for defamation of character, all because Chris is gay, were unwarranted. There should be zero tolerance for the governor's actions.”