Payout for sexual harassment leaves oversight failures unexplored

A divided state board has approved settlements worth a combined $4.15 million to two women who reported extensive, appalling sexual misconduct by former Iowa Finance Authority Director Dave Jamison. Under the agreements posted in full below, $2.35 million will go to the agency’s former business development director Beth Mahaffey, and $1.8 million will go to the agency’s communications director Ashley Jared. Attorney’s fees for both women will come out of those payments.

The settlements bring closure to women who endured a horrific workplace environment. But they also ensure that oversight failures at the finance authority will never be fully explored in litigation.

Two members of the State Appeal Board okayed the settlements. David Roederer had already signed the papers in late January in his role as Department of Management director. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald said in a statement following the February 4 meeting that after weighing the available information, he felt approving the settlement was “in the best interest of Iowans.”