Judge Dismisses Official's Lawsuit Against Iowa Governor Reynolds

FILE – Ousted Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven sits at a news conference in West Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 1, 2019. A state court judge has dismissed a wrongful discharge lawsuit filed by Foxhoven who accused Gov. Kim Reynolds of improperly diverting federal Medicaid money to pay a member of her staff. (AP Photo/David Pitt, File)

DES MOINES, IA – An Iowa state court judge has dismissed a case filed against Governor Kim Reynolds claiming she fired a former state agency director for opposing her plans.

Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhaven was fired in June, 2021. Foxhoven claims he was fired for opposing Governor Reynolds plans to divert Medicaid funds to pay a member of her staff. Reynolds said the dismissal was due in part to several patient deaths at the Glenwood Resource Center.

Foxhaven filed a suit seeking $2 million in damages. The suit was dismissed by the court, citing that officials are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.