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Judge blocks unemployment benefits for fired Iowa director

News

June 11th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge says fired Iowa Finance Authority Director Dave Jamison is disqualified from collecting unemployment benefits due to credible allegations of sexual harassment. Administrative Law Judge Nicole Merrill ruled that the allegations against Jamison by female subordinates haven’t been fully detailed but are credible and amount to “disqualifying misconduct.” In an opinion dated Friday, she says his behavior was “contrary to the best interests” of the state and its workers.

Gov. Kim Reynolds fired Jamison in March after two of Jamison’s subordinates contacted her top aide to complain about his behavior. Jamison had been granted unemployment in April. The state then appealed, arguing Jamison should be ineligible. Merrill says that Jamison doesn’t have to pay back $3,185 that he collected from April 8 through June 2. She says he’s not entitled to those benefits, but the state didn’t challenge them in an April fact-finding interview.