Lynn Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Iowa attorney general's office, said that 19 current staffers, including many in leadership positions, were asked to resign by the new attorney general.
According to letters obtained by Iowa Capital Dispatch, Bird asked for the resignations on December 22.
Sam Langholz will be Bird's chief deputy when she takes charge of the office next week. The people of Iowa have a new Attorney General. To do the things she said she would do, the Attorney General-elect is realigning the office and building a new team.
Bird promised during her election campaign to more vigorously defend laws enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature and to challenge policies enacted by the Democrats.
Langholz has worked for the attorney general's office for about two years and has helped defend against challenges to the governor's policies.
The resignations of 19 of his colleagues were MzE MzE MzE's request. At the latest.
You will get holiday pay on January 2, regular pay for 30 minutes on January 3, and your health insurance coverage for the month of January as a result of the timing of the transition.
Six days after the letters were sent, the notice of resignation was due.
According to copies of the resignation letters and other information he provided to Capital Dispatch, Miller's chief of staff is among at least 10 who have acquiesced to the requests. A total of 13 people were asked to leave.
State salary records show that less than 10% of the total staff is comprised of 19 employees.
When a person is elected to a statewide executive position, it's common to replace top staffers. Several of the attorneys targeted by the letters have been with the office for more than 20 years.
Chantelle Smith, an assistant attorney general, wrote that she was disappointed that she was asked to resign.
Other people were asked to resign.
The chief deputy attorney general is NathanBlake.
The director of the consumer protection division is Jessica Whitney.
The first assistant attorney general wrote in his resignation that he wished you success. I don't know if I'm right.
The human services division has a director.
The licensing and administrative law division is headed by Emily Willits.
It has been a singular honor to serve the people of Iowa, and specifically victims of crime, as part of this Division and I hope that it continues. Bird's experience prosecuting crimes and interacting with victims of those crimes could lead to a reorganization of the division.
Heather Adams has been an assistant attorney general since 1994. I don't know why I was asked to leave. I was very sad to be asked to resign. For nearly 30 years, I have faithfully served the office, the public, and my public health clients.
An assistant attorney general is specialized in consumer protection. She is the wife of a former governor.
She had already resigned.
Ellen Ramsey- Kacena is an assistant attorney general.
Donn Stanley is a consumer protection expert. Stanley has been with the office for about two decades. He took a leave of absence from the office in order to be the campaign manager for the governor.
An assistant attorney general in the special litigation division is Sharon Wegner.
Miller installed his own team to lead the office after he was first elected in 1978 and the number of requested resignations is less than 8% of the total staff. Langholz said that they can be terminated at any time.
Langholz said that the Attorney General-elect will build a new team that shares her goals and values. The Attorney General-elect appreciated the service from the people who left the office.
Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors. Kathie Obradovich can be contacted for questions.
The article was originally published on the Register.
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