DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is standing firm in support of the director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, who says no money was offered to former workers for silence about their dismissals.  Branstad, at his weekly news conference Monday, says he believes Mike Carroll when he says no money was offered to keep settlement agreements confidential.

At least two state workers have testified they were offered additional cash to remain silent about their dismissals in 2011. Carroll told a joint legislative Government Oversight Committee last week that no money was offered.

Branstad says he believes Carroll that no state agencies offered money for silence. He says the workers are disgruntled former state employees. Branstad in an executive order signed last month prohibited future confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements.