Hunter
12/08/25
The Iowa State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Auditor Rob Sand’s office in a dispute with the Attorney General’s office over who should represent the state in an ongoing dispute over a settlement with three Davenport city officials who alleged they had been harassed.
The Des Moines Register reports State AG Brenna Bird Bird argued in the case leading to Friday’s ruling that her office, as the state’s legal counsel, should represent the auditor’s office in an ongoing court case regarding the legality of the settlement agreements. Sand, as a lawyer and former state assistant Attorney General argued that his office should be able to represent itself.
Sand alleges Davenport violated open meeting laws when they agreed to settlements totaling $1.8 million dollars. He said the city council held closed sessions to discuss litigation around when the settlements were made and again before the vote. He accused the city attorney of being a “walking audit risk” and suggested the city lacks proper internal controls.
Bird’s office initially backed Sand’s position that state law entitles them to request attorney-client communications; but told them she was removing that request and refused to argue for that position the day before a legal brief was to be filed.
Sand filed his own brief and asked the state to ignore Bird’s brief.
In its ruling last week, the Court said the Attorney General’s office has a conflict of interest representing Sand’s office because they’re concerned that giving them access to attorney-client communications might affect other state agencies. State law passed in 2023 limited the Auditor’s Office ability to provide documents.