Here’s a guide to the cast of characters involved in the ongoing trial of a lawsuit against Polk County leaders that continues Monday, Sept. 15.
Jim Nahas
The plaintiff in the suit, Nahas is the fired former human resources director for Polk County. He alleges defamation, extortion and violations of open meetings law against several current and former Polk supervisors and other county leaders.
John Norris
The now-former Polk County administrator is a defendant in Nahas’ lawsuit.
Matt McCoy
The Polk County supervisor chair has been an ally of Nahas and is a key witness in the case.
Frank Marasco
Marasco, then employed in the county sheriff’s office, was McCoy’s choice for county administrator when a majority of the other supervisors backed the hiring of Norris. He is now county administrator.
Sarah Boese
Boese made allegations central to the Nahas case, claiming she heard through her office wall vulgar and threatening statements McCoy made about her and county Supervisor Tom Hockensmith in a 2020 meeting with Nahas and Marasco. All three denied hearing those statements, part of the basis for Nahas’ firing on grounds that included dishonesty. Boese is currently deputy county administrator.
Tom Hockensmith and Angela Connolly
County supervisors who initiated an investigation of Boese’s claims against McCoy, and who were part of the bloc that voted to fire Nahas.
Ralph Marasco
Former chief of the civil division for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, and no relation to Frank Marasco. He and criminal division investigator Molly Jansen conducted the investigation that led to Nahas’ firing. He also was resonsible for giving legal counsel to the board.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who’s who in trial of suit against Polk County leaders
Reporting by From staff reports / Des Moines Register
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