The Iowa special agent who complained about Gov. Terry Branstad’s (R) speeding vehicle was fired Wednesday.
Former Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund told the Des Moines Register that he’s “been treated like a criminal” after he was the subject of a two-and-a-half-month investigation by the state. The investigation was launched after April 26, when Hedlund called a state dispatcher to have state troopers stop a Chevy Tahoe that he thought was going “a hard 90.” The vehicle, which was later clocked at 84 mph, was ultimately recognized as the governor’s vehicle, identified as “Car 1,” that was being driven by another trooper. It was given a pass by the responding trooper.
On April 29, Hedlund contacted DCI Director Charis Paulson to complain. The next day, Hedlund said two assistant DCI directors and an Iowa State Patrol trooper came to his home to tell him he was relieved of duty.
Lt. Robert Hansen, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, claimed that “work rule violations” were on record against Hedlund prior to the April 26 incident. In a press release, the department indicated that disciplinary action ultimately resulted from the state’s investigation into Hedlund’s actions and insisted that he “did not receive discipline as a result of his complaint of the speeding state vehicle.
“The best analogy I can give you is that they investigated me like I was a murderer, and in the process they murdered my career,” Hedlund told the Register. He intends to sue the state.
