Judge Awards Unemployment Benefits To Former Dallas County Employee

A judge has ruled that a former Dallas County employee shall receive unemployment benefits while awaiting court proceedings in a wrongful termination suit. According to court records, Former Dallas County jail employee Dustin Robbins is suing Dallas County, the Jail Administrator and Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard. The lawsuit alleges Robbins was terminated in mid-May after he contacted the Iowa Dept. Of Corrections hotline for Covid-19 concerns. The suit alleges that Robbins received an email May 2nd regarding a jail staff member who tested positive for Covid-19. According to the lawsuit, the email was from Sheriff Leonard and stated the employee was symptom free and could return to work under precautions. Court records say Robbins was uncomfortable because the email was missing details regarding the date the employee tested positive and how long the person was in quarantine. Robbins called the hotline May 4th, later Robbins was called to a meeting with the Sheriff and Jail Administrator. Robbins alleges in that meeting, he was told he was going to be on leave and not terminated. He then received a letter of termination May 12th from Dallas County. A jury trial expected to take place at a later date, in the meantime a judge has ruled Robbins will receive unemployment benefits.