Iowan who won whistle-blower suit wants former job back

KEOKUK (AP) ? The former Lee County maintenance director who won his whistle-blower lawsuit wants his job back, too.

Rick Carter said Wednesday that ?I deserve it,? after being fired in 2010. On Monday a jury awarded Carter $141,000 in back wages and $45,000 in lost benefits.

Carter?s lawyer has filed a motion for the judge to order Carter?s reinstatement and for the county to pay his legal fees.

Carter filed his lawsuit under the state?s whistle-blower statute. He?d said he was fired because he reported problems with the Lee County Jail during its construction and accused the county board of malfeasance.

Board members Rick Larkin, Ernie Schiller and Gary Folluo didn?t return calls seeking comment.