The Iowa Food System Coalition has parted ways with Black Hawk County Supervisor Chris Schwartz, ending his role as executive director less than two months after his arrest on felony sex abuse charges.
Schwartz, 44, was charged in October with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse after investigators alleged he assaulted an incapacitated person at his Waterloo home in August 2023. He turned himself in Oct. 8 and posted a $50,000 bond the same day.
In a news release Wednesday, Nov. 26, the Iowa Food System Coalition said it had “mutually terminated” its contract with Schwartz. The statewide network of more than 50 groups works to strengthen Iowa’s local food systems through statewide partnerships among farmers, food producers, educators and policymakers.
The organization also said it is appointing Tommy Hexter as interim executive director.
Hexter, who has been active in food system advocacy across the state, announced last week that he is stepping down from his five-year role leading Grinnell Farm to Table, a Poweshiek County food hub that operates an online market, storefront and food access program.
Schwartz, first elected in 2016, is now serving his third term on the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. On Tuesday, he entered a not guilty plea, and a judge set his arraignment for Dec. 1.
He has continued participating in county board business since the arrest. Black Hawk County officials have taken no action to suspend or remove him, and state law limits removal of an elected official to narrow circumstances, generally requiring a felony conviction or misconduct tied directly to official duties.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa food coalition drops county supervisor facing sex abuse charges
Reporting by Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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