IowaWatch (https://www.iowawatch.org/lr-tags/secret-settlements/)
Managers responsible for a string of state government controversies, including secret settlements and work-from-home arrangements with three political appointees, won’t be held responsible under an Iowa taxpayer protection law because they didn’t go over budget, Gov. Branstad said.
Source: The Des Moines Register
Posted on: May 12, 2014
Since 2011, Iowa's state universities have paid at least $1.16 million in secret settlements to employees and students. The schools spent an additional $1.17 million in settlements that didn't include confidentiality clauses but are not believed to have been made public at an open meeting of any government body.
Source: The Des Moines Register
Posted on: May 1, 2014
Federal money may have been commingled in at least one account used to pay some of the confidential settlements with former state employees, jeopardizing tens of millions of dollars in grants from the federal government. The 24 secret settlements amounted to more than $500,000.
Source: The Des Moines Register
Posted on: April 17, 2014
Newly released documents show additional costs associated with 24 secret settlements made to former Iowa state employees. Large sections of the documents were blacked out, but other sections showed thousands of dollars to provide back pay or allow the employees to convert unused sick time into cash.
Source: The Des Moines Register
Posted on: March 31, 2014
Documents obtained by The Des Moines Register showed some former public employees who received secret settlements believed they were subjected to discrimination, inappropriate behavior and retaliation for blowing the whistle on improper bidding practices. Gov. Terry Branstad revealed that 12 state agencies have made at least 24 secret settlements with current and former workers since he resumed office in January 2011.
Source: The Des Moines Register
Posted on: March 25, 2014