Branstad wants $325/hour lawyer to defend lawsuit

An attorney representing Gov. Terry Branstad and his staff in a discrimination lawsuit has agreed to a $325 an hour payment, which the state treasurer has said is four times the going rate for outside attorney assistance.

Iowa Workers Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey accused Branstad of wrongfully cutting his salary after he declined to resign. Godfrey also says he was singled out because he?s gay.

The Des Moines Register says records released Thursday show the attorney general?s office has requested approval from the executive council to spend up to $325 an hour to hire George LaMarca.

LaMarca agreed to the rate. The council will vote on hiring LaMarca on Tuesday.

Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald noted last year when outside attorney assistance is necessary, the rate is around $80 an hour.