IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's workers' compensation commissioner is resigning to take a top federal job, but his lawsuit against Gov. Terry Branstad and aides will continue.
Commissioner Christopher J. Godfrey told The Associated Press on Monday that he's been appointed chief judge of the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board in Washington, which decides workers' compensation claims filed by federal employees.
Godfrey was appointed by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in 2009 and confirmed by the Iowa Senate to a six-year term as state commissioner.
After Branstad won election in 2010, he asked for Godfrey's resignation. Godfrey declined, saying his job is supposed to be independent. The governor ultimately slashed Godfrey's salary from $112,000 to $73,000, the lowest allowed, and administration officials criticized his performance.
Godfrey, who is gay, is suing for discrimination, defamation, and extortion.
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