Trooper Who Drove Branstad Ticketed For Speeding

In this Jan. 15, 2013 file photo, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad delivers the annual Condition of the State address before a joint session of the Iowa Legislature, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. The state has paid ... In this Jan. 15, 2013 file photo, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad delivers the annual Condition of the State address before a joint session of the Iowa Legislature, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. The state has paid nearly $400,000 in attorney fees to an outside lawyer handling a discrimination lawsuit against Branstad. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) MORE LESS
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The trooper who was driving Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad in a high-speed pursuit three months ago has been cited for speeding, the Associated Press reported.

State trooper Steve Lawrence was ticketed on Friday for driving 84 in a 65-mph zone. He was going the same speed on April 26 when he was driving Branstad, prompting another trooper to pursue the vehicle. But after recognizing that he was pursuing the governor’s vehicle, the trooper stood down.

Meanwhile, Larry Hedlund, the special agent who spotted the governor’s speeding vehicle and subsequently complained when it was allowed to drive off, was fired last week after being the subject of a two-and-a-half month investigation. Branstad insisted that the investigation and firing had nothing to do with the speeding incident. 

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