County Assistant Attorney Being Fired, Claims Retaliation

Dubuque County assistant attorney Richard Kirkendall says he is being fired despite being cleared by an internal investigation, moves he says are political retaliation as he seeks the county attorney’s seat. Kirkendall was placed on administrative leave in late March after an internal complaint was filed against him alleging verbal harassment. The complaint was investigated by Dubuque County’s Human Resources Department. Kirkendall is running for county attorney in the November election and claimed when he was placed on leave that the move was one of retaliation for seeking the seat currently held by C.J. May III, a claim that May has denied.