The Iowa Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in the long-running case involving a former Division of Criminal Investigation agent who allegedly blew the whistle on a speeding SUV that was carrying then-Gov. Terry Branstad.
On April 26, 2013, DCI Agent Larry Hedlund was headed west on U.S. Highway 20 when he called a law enforcement dispatcher and asked to have troopers stop a Chevrolet Tahoe that he estimated to be doing “a hard 90.” Using radar, troopers later clocked the vehicle’s speed at 84 mph.
Once the troopers recognized the vehicle was carrying Branstad and the then-lieutenant governor, Kim Reynolds, they opted not to pull it over.
Within days, Hedlund — who had no prior disciplinary issues in his 25 years with the agency — was fired. He was accused of sending “negative and disrespectful messages” about DCI leaders in emails to his subordinates, for misusing a state-owned car, and for being “deceptive” about his work status in conversations with his supervisor.
Hedlund, who is now an investigator for the Webster County Attorney’s Office, quickly sued, but after 10 years the case has yet to go to trial, with numerous underlying issues — including Hedlund’s failed efforts to have Branstad sit for a deposition — being litigated.
In 2019, the state challenged Hedlund’s right to sue as a whistleblower, which resulted in an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in the former agent’s favor. At that time, the justices said while the state had argued Hedlund was nothing more than a...
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