Supervisors Sue Auditor Over Legal Fees

Des Moines News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

Two Madison County supervisors are suing the County Auditor, demanding she pay $43,000 in legal fees for a firm they hired after losing trust in the county attorney. The firm, Belin McCormick, billed $305/hour for work including a federal lawsuit — now dismissed — that claimed constitutional rights were violated. The Auditor, Michele Brant, is resisting, withholding payments and asking for clarification on charges labeled “pending litigation,” arguing taxpayer money must serve a public purpose. Though she paid $19,000 for unchallenged fees, the remaining $43,000 remains in dispute. The…