Iowa may pay $4M to victims of sex harassment by ex-director

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state of Iowa has tentatively agreed to pay $4.15 million to two executive branch employees who were sexually harassed for years by an agency director who had been a longtime friend of Gov. Kim Reynolds, according to records released Monday.

Under settlements negotiated last week, the money would go to the Iowa Finance Authority's former business development director, Beth Mahaffey, and its communications director, Ashley Jared. A state panel will consider approving the deals Monday afternoon.

Both women complained last year to the governor's office about the hostile work environment they endured under Iowa Finance Authority executive director Dave Jamison.