Judge: Fired Polk County official didn't report wages from second job

When Polk County’s fired human resources director filed for unemployment benefits earlier this year, he reportedly failed to report wages he was collecting from a second, part-time job.

According to Iowa Workforce Development records, James Nahas began working for Dowling College (a business name for Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines) in late 2010, and served as the seasonal assistant basketball coach from mid-November 2020 through March of this year. For that work, he was paid $4,832.

For part of that period, Nahas also worked for Polk County as its full-time human resources director, earning roughly $160,000 per year. On Jan. 5, Nahas was fired by the county, which alleged he had been less than candid with investigators who were looking into allegations of sexual harassment aimed at Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy. Nahas subsequently filed for unemployment benefits.

Although IWD has yet to issue a final decision as to Nahas’ eligibility for benefits based on his firing from Polk County, Nahas’ unemployment claim has generated a weekly benefit of $605.

Read more: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/judge-fired-polk-county-official-didnt-report-wages-from-second-job/