Iowa governor calls agent's firing 'fair and just'

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Iowa governor calls agent's firing 'fair and just'

CATHERINE LUCEY, Associated Press, By CATHERINE LUCEY and RYAN J. FOLEY, Associated Press | July 18, 2013 | Updated: July 18, 2013 1:40pm

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on Thursday called the firing of a veteran criminal investigator "fair and just," forcefully asserting that it had nothing to do with the agent's complaint that touched off a firestorm over speeding by the governor's vehicle.

Branstad repeatedly rejected what he called "false accusations" of retaliation against Larry Hedlund, during a news conference at the Capitol. The governor called on Hedlund and his attorney to allow the release of a 500-page investigative report into Hedlund's conduct, saying that would tell the public the full story of his firing.

Hedlund was fired Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Safety after a 25-year career over what his superiors called unprofessional and discourteous behavior. A three-page termination document said Hedlund, a special agent in charge with the Division of Criminal Investigation, sent emails to subordinates making "negative and disrespectful comments" about the department's leadership team and policies.

Hedlund was placed on administrative leave May 1, two days after he filed a complaint to his superiors about a high-speed pursuit involving Branstad's state-assigned SUV. He and his attorney, Tom Duff, contend his firing was retaliation for filing that complaint and intend to file a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Iowa-governor-calls-agent-s-firing-fair-and-just-4672710.php

[mtasselin]

1. imagine

Can you imagine if they would have hit someone, he still would not take responsibility. Then he makes sure the safety officer gets fired, he truly thinks he is above the law. I can only hope the good people of Iowa see what is really happening here and support the law enforcement officer.

[Peacetrain]

2. The last time he was govenor his son hit an elderly couples car and

both of them died.. and he managed to scrub that one out of the internet.. If I remember correctly I think he (the son) was DUI.. Branstands and cars in Iowa are a lethal mix.. I cannot believe he is getting away with having this officer fired..

Edit to add.. if I remember correctly it was the early 90's 90, 91 and I think the son got ticket basically.. it was all shoveled under the proverbial rug

[rurallib]

4. Glad you mentioned this - My recollection

is that the young Branstad ran a stop sign in a rural area and broadsided the victims' car. Elderly married couple both of whom died.
Young Branstad got a ticket for running the stop sign and that is all. Bet he learned a lesson.
At least that is my recollection. Early 90s sound about right.

[Peacetrain]

6. My husband said the ticket was 15.00

$7.50 a life.. ... try and find a story about it now.. How he got re-elected after using his political where with all to get his son off has always been one of the great mysteries to me.. but people forget..seems like everyone relies on the internet to be their memory now.. and when people have the power to scrub a story.. well .. its like it never happened..

[rurallib]

8. because the media in this state is so right wing

and spent 4 years painting Chet Culver as a clown (I admit Culver hurt himself, but he wasn't that bad). Then the media refused to recall any Branstad fuck ups while the Branstad campaign focused on no issues and played to kinder, gentler memories.

Damn I hope one of ours can beat this sob. I like Jack Hatch, but right now I think we need a young and vigorous Tyler Olson.

[Bluzmann57]

9. What was even more screwed up about that situation

was that at the same time the Eric Branstad incident happened, there was a guy driving a van in a campground in Scott County who dropped his cigarette on the floor. When he bent over to pick it up, he ran over and killed some people who were simply out camping. The cigarette guy was not drunk, stoned, or anything else. He simply dropped his cigarette and made a fatal mistake by bending over to pick it up off the floor.
He was held in Scott County jail for several months because they could not figure out what to charge him with. They knew they had to charge him with something though. He ended up getting 5 years for vehicular homicide. Branstad's kid? Nothing. The branstad family simply does not believe that the laws apply to them.

[Peacetrain]

10. Yep that is exactly it.. the laws apply to anyone but them

[on point]

3. I see a lawsuit in the future!

[rurallib]

5. I am willing to bet every employee has quite a report compiled by the boss

I will never forget my first meeting as a union rep (quasi union)
Someone said something sarcastic and the personnel guy said "As I look around, i think I could easily say we have enough to fire each and every one of you."

[Octafish]

7. ''It's OK. I'm a Republican!''

Seems to be some kind of code for those into Pruneface.