Iowa Supreme Court limits state auditor's access to Davenport closed-session recordings on $1.9 million in settlements

On April 17, 2026 the Iowa Supreme Court held that attorney-client privilege limits the Iowa Auditor of State's subpoena power, blocking the auditor's effort to obtain recordings of 2023 closed-door Davenport City Council sessions about harassment-claim settlements totaling about $1.9 million. The council approved the settlements publicly in December 2023; allegations arose that they were agreed before the November 2023 city election and announced afterward.