Articles by Ryan J. Foley

Jail Sentences Upheld for Iowa Egg Execs in Salmonella Case

A federal appeals court has upheld jail sentences for two egg industry executives whose Iowa-based company caused a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2010. In a long-awaited decision, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed three-month jail sentences issued last …

Iowa State, Basketball Coach Sued by Former Star Player for Discrimination

Former Iowa State basketball star Nikki Moody has sued coach Bill Fennelly, the university and the state for racial discrimination and retaliation, saying she was repeatedly called a “thug” and labeled a selfish player despite being the program’s career assists …

Chicago Auto Insurance Fraud Ring Can Be Tried in Iowa: Court

Three people from Wisconsin or Illinois who are charged with operating a car insurance fraud ring can be prosecuted in Iowa, even though they never set foot in the state, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled. Police say the trio staged …

Feds Wants Egg Executives Punished for Salmonella Outbreak

A federal judge in Iowa should consider the “widespread harm” done by a major 2010 salmonella outbreak and the food safety lapses that preceded it in sentencing two egg industry executives whose company was responsible, federal prosecutors said. In the …

Top Donors to Iowa Governor Complained About Gay Ex-Workers’ Comp Official

The founders of a beef company who were major donors to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s campaign were among the business leaders who raised concerns about a gay state official the governor later tried to force out, according to court documents …

Iowa DPS Report: Wait On Drone Regulation

Iowa should take a wait-and-see approach to regulating unmanned aerial vehicles because of their huge potential for positive uses in business and government, the Iowa Department of Public Safety advises in a new report. The report, requested by lawmakers in …

Iowa Court: Construction Defect Remedy Doesn’t Extend to Banks, Developers

The Iowa Supreme Court has declined to give banks and real estate developers the same legal remedy that protects homebuyers from defective construction. In a pair of decisions, the court refused to expand Iowa’s implied warranty of workmanlike construction, which …

Iowa Gov. Says He Didn’t Know Work Comp Commissioner’s Sexual Orientation

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and top aides have denied discriminating against a gay former state official, saying they weren’t aware of his sexual orientation when the governor asked him to resign and cut his pay. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds …

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Godfrey Resigning

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Christopher J. Godfrey will resign to take a federal position, but will continue pursuing a lawsuit alleging Gov. Terry Branstad and aides illegally bullied him, he said. Godfrey has accepted an appointment as chairman and chief …

Iowa Company to Pay $6.8M Fine for Selling Tainted Eggs

An Iowa company has agreed to pay $6.8 million in fines for crimes that include selling the tainted eggs that caused a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2010. A plea agreement filed on June 2 by federal prosecutors calls for Quality …