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Rob Sand, Iowa’s State Auditor, blasts Gary Barta and calls for transparency on retirement terms

Keith Farner

By Keith Farner

Published:

Rob Sand, Iowa’s State Auditor, and Gary Barta likely won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this year.

Sand and Barta have publicly tangled before over using taxpayer funds to pay for lawsuit settlements, and on Friday, San offered another statement following’s Barta’s retirement announcement.

“Gary Barta’s departure is a long time coming given the four different lawsuits for discrimination that cost Iowa more than $11 million,” Sand said in a statement. “Discrimination demands accountability. The University of Iowa should publicly release all terms of his departure.”

Sand’s statement refers to gender and racial discrimination suits. Sand has long criticized Barta’s plan to use public funds to pay for lawsuit settlements.

Iowa previously said in a news release that the retirement was Barta’s decision, and his contract was set to expire on June 30, 2024. Under the terms of Barta’s deal, he was being paid more than $1 million per year − $650,000 in base salary and $400,000 annually in deferred compensation.

Other details include Barta being paid out for remaining sick days and vacation and he and his wife will receive healthcare benefits from the university until Barta’s 65th birthday (Sept. 4, 2028) unless he takes another job before then.

Barta is set to leave on Aug. 1.

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.