Iowa Work Comp Commissioner Lawsuit

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed a lawsuit accusing Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad of discrimination because the governor cut his salary by more than $30,000 after Godfrey declined to resign. He claimed Branstad illegally cut his salary from about $109,000 to $73,000. Godfrey, who was appointed by former Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, asserted he was singled out because he is gay. George LaMarca, the lawyer who will represent the governor, says state law allows the governor to reduce the pay of a commissioner. Godfrey couldn’t be reached to comment.