State of Iowa’s defense costs in Godfrey defamation suit rising

DES MOINES — The state's cost of defending Gov. Terry Branstad and his administration against legal action brought against them by Christopher Godfrey now stands at $907,015, according to state records.

The Iowa Executive Council this week approved another $34,932 to be paid to the Des Moines law firm of LaMarca & Landry PC for costs associated with a lawsuit brought by Godfrey, the state's former worker's compensation commissioner.

Godfrey left the post in August 2014 to accept a federal post. He 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 — sought $1 million in compensation, claiming defamation, harassment, sexual discrimination and extortion.

The case in Polk County District Court currently is hold while a legal aspect before the Iowa Supreme Court is decided, but no date has been set for the review to take place during the court's new term, which begins in September.