'I needed justice': Former state official testifies in anti-gay discrimination case against Branstad

NEWTON, Ia. — The former state official who has accused former Gov. Terry Branstad of anti-gay discrimination took the witness stand Friday and told the jury he sued the former Republican governor because, "I needed justice."

Former Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey, a Democrat, sued Branstad, in 2012. In court on Friday, Godfrey's attorney, Roxanne Conlin, asked Godfrey why he filed his lawsuit.

"After I had been asked to resign twice, after my pay was slashed, I felt obviously personally attacked," Godfrey testified in court. "I needed justice. I also felt as though the system in Iowa had been attacked."

The high-profile case has wound its way through the courts for years before going to trial in June. The trial is in its third week and has seen testimony from several current and former state government officials, including Branstad and former Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/06/21/iowa-chris-godfrey-testifies-terry-branstad-lawsuit-cut-salary-resign-discrimination-gay-lgbtq/1524444001/