A Sioux City native who successfully sued former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for discrimination received a special commendation from the city of Sioux City.
This summer a jury awarded Chris Godfrey who was the state’s former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner $1.5 million.
Godfrey attended an event in support of the LGBTQ group oneiowa at St. Mark Lutheran Church on Monday, November 11, 2019.
Before speaking about his legal battle that started back in 2012, Sioux City Council Member Rhonda Capron made a surprise announcement.
“On behalf the Mayor, city council and citizens of Sioux City do hear by commend Chris Godfrey for leading by example and being a trailblazer for workers and human rights.”
Godfrey currently works for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. as a chief judge working on federal workers’ compensation disputes.
“I wouldn’t be who I was today if I didn’t have my family here supporting me, my friends supporting me and the community in itself supporting me. Thank you very much.”
The Des Moines Register reported the taxpayers of Iowa spent almost $2.5 million on legal fees for the defense. Godfrey’s attorney also asked a judge to cover $3.5 million in fees and costs. The state of Iowa has asked the court for a new trial in the case.
Godfrey also took part in an event Tuesday morning with the Sioux City Human Rights Commission.
