Supreme Court Establishes Private Constitutional Right of Action Against Government Actors in Commissioner's Suit
Following the reduction of his salary by the Governor in 2010, former Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed an action against the State of Iowa and various state officials, including the Governor, alleging a variety of legal theories. In Godfrey v. State of Iowa et al. , No. 15-0695 (Iowa June 30, 2017), the Court ruled, for the first time, that constitutional claims, in this cases allegations of deprivation of property rights without due process of law and deprivation of liberty interests without due process created causes of action directly under the Iowa Constitution. Four counts of the petition were at issue before the court. Count VI alleged that Godfrey was deprived of his property rights in his salary because of partisan politics and sexual orientation. Count VII alleged a damage to a protect liberty interest in his reputation without due process by falsely claiming poor work performance. Count VIII alleged a violation of the equal protection of the laws for ...