DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The former chief administrative law judge for unemployment appeals is alleging that Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert repeatedly tried to interfere with judges’ work to favor employers over workers.  Joseph Walsh filed a lawsuit Thursday in Polk County alleging that Wahlert stripped him of his job protections and ultimately laid off him and his wife after he opposed her efforts to exert authority over administrative law judges to pursue an “anti-employee agenda.”

Walsh had been the deputy IWD director under Democratic Gov. Chet Culver. Then he was named to oversee a dozen judges that handle unemployment benefits decisions. The lawsuit claims Wahlert’s decision to lay off Walsh was retaliation for Walsh’s complaint to the U.S. Department of Labor about Wahlert’s actions.