# @dmregister on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DMOZPlTptJj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/32445757-dmregister-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/55397d7715.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-07-17T22:01:26.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Des Moines Register (@DMRegister) — https://gondola.cc/DMRegister

## Caption

In the latest escalation of the controversy gripping Madison County, Board of Supervisors Chair Heather Stancil has filed a federal lawsuit against Sheriff Jason Barnes, accusing him of violating her constitutional rights by publicly announcing a criminal referral against her over a Facebook post.

"Amid a rather ordinary local political dispute, (Barnes) did something quite extraordinary," the lawsuit, filed Wednesday, July 16, said.

The lawsuit, filed in Iowa’s Southern District Court, stems from Stancil’s July 9 Facebook comment responding to a conversation around a petition seeking a special election for county auditor. That petition follows the board’s controversial appointment of Matthew Schwarz as county auditor without a public vote.

The suit argues Stancil only meant to "be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” and that Barnes’ actions were not only legally baseless but also politically motivated. Both Stancil and Barnes are Republicans.

Tap the link in our bio for more on this story.

#MadisonCounty #Iowa #IApolitics

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 45
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Tags

iapolitics, iowa, madisoncounty

---
Copyright (c) Gondola