In Madison County, Auditor Michele Brant has initiated legal action against Supervisors Heather Stancil and Jessica Hobbs, accusing them of illegal conduct in reorganizing her office and retaliating against her for previous civil rights complaints. Brant, who won her position through a special election in August 2025, claims the supervisors had a conflict of interest due to her prior complaints of discrimination based on sex and age.

Allegations of Retaliation

Brant’s lawsuit details that after she assumed office, Stancil and Hobbs consistently opposed filling positions in her office. She cites a November meeting where Hobbs allegedly referenced the cost of civil rights lawsuits, which Brant interpreted as a threat related to her previous complaints. Brant filed a second retaliation complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in November 2025, after which the supervisors approved her hiring resolution.

Conflict of Interest and Office Reorganization

Brant’s court documents reveal that Stancil and Hobbs held closed-session meetings without her or the county attorney, acknowledging a conflict of interest with the auditor’s office. Despite this, they proceeded with actions that Brant argues should have been barred due to their conflict. In February, during Brant’s medical leave, the supervisors held a special meeting to outsource human resources and custodial services, effectively reducing her office’s responsibilities.

Brant contends these actions were unauthorized and retaliatory, forcing her to abandon plans for a second deputy position and leaving a hiring resolution unapproved. Madison County Attorney Stephen Swanson expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the need for transparent government operations.

Efforts to reach Supervisors Stancil and Hobbs for comment were unsuccessful.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.