IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is appointing a former state Supreme Court justice to review the firing of a veteran criminal investigator who had complained about the governor’s speeding vehicle.  Branstad today (Friday) appointed former Chief Justice Louis Lavarato to independently examine the firing of Larry Hedlund, a special agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation. The move is a surprise since Branstad had defended Hedlund’s firing and denied retaliation.

Hedlund pursued the governor’s speeding SUV on a highway April 26 and called troopers, who clocked it traveling 84 mph in a 65-mph zone. They backed off after learning the vehicle was being driven by a fellow trooper transporting Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Hedlund was fired last week for what the Department of Public Safety called unbecoming conduct.