DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is declining to address the merits of a lawsuit brought by a criminal investigator fired after complaining about Gov. Terry Branstad’s speeding state vehicle. The court dismissed an appeal Friday filed by former Division of Criminal Investigation supervisor Larry Hedlund. Justices say his appeal of a judge’s order wasn’t filed within a 30-day deadline and therefore it wasn’t timely.

The decision says other claims in Hedlund’s lawsuit can move forward and that he can appeal the ruling at the end of the case. At issue was whether Hedlund and other state officers can sue for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. A judge dismissed that claim, saying it’s not recognized in Iowa and that state police officers can only challenge their firings through administrative proceedings.