DES MOINES, Iowa — Polk County taxpayers could be on the hook for a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by the county’s former human resources director.

Jim Nahas filed the lawsuit in 2021 for wrongful termination and libel. According to the Des Moines Register, on Monday, a Dallas County jury ruled in his favor, awarding him $4.26 million.

Some of the money will come directly from two current county supervisors and a former county administrator.

Court records show Supervisors Angela Connolly and Tom Hockensmith were ordered to pay $5,000 each. The judge ordered former county administrator John Norris to pay $250,000, though his severance package with the county included a legal indemnity agreement.

Nahas told the Des Moines Register, “The jury’s work clears my good name and allows me to move on from the unfortunate events that brought me to this point. I hope that we can all close this chapter for good.”

Current Polk County Administrator Frank Marasco released a statement following the release of the verdict. It reads, “Today, a jury sided with former Polk County director of human resources Jim Nahas in his civil lawsuit against the county. This decision comes after many years of attention and coverage of the working environment at the Polk County Board of Supervisors office, and it is a decision our office will respect.

While we will take time to consider options, this is an opportunity for us to take account of ways we can improve our policies and practices, and to move forward together as public servants to the taxpayers. Our office is committed to good governance, transparency, and ensuring we are doing everything possible to stay true to our mission of being more effective, productive and responsive in our service to the public.”