BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) - Des Moines County’s chief prosecutor is taking an indefinite, paid medical leave of absence.
Assistant county attorney Amy Beavers will act as county attorney while Patrick Jackson remains on leave, The Burlington Hawk Eye reported (https://bit.ly/1ic9yBM ) Saturday.
County officials declined to reveal details surrounding Jackson’s leave, citing federal medical privacy laws. But Carol Copeland, Des Moines County auditor, confirmed that Jackson’s doctor had submitted a letter to her office confirming his intention to take a medical leave.
Jackson hung up when contacted by a Hawk Eye reporter on Friday. He could not be reached Saturday by The Associated Press for comment.
Jackson had announced his decision to retire as county attorney a few months ago after 18 years in the role.
Although Ty Rogers is the senior assistant in the county attorney’s office, Beavers will oversee the day-to-day operations in Jackson’s absence, Rogers said.
Beavers is running for county attorney as a Democrat against Republican Trent Henkelvig, a Danville attorney. Beavers decided to run after Rogers opted not to seek election.
Rogers said the decision was made earlier in the week concerning who will run the office in Jackson’s absence. He did not say if Jackson played a role in making that decision.
Jackson can remain on paid leave for two months before the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors steps in to name its choice for acting county attorney, Beavers said.
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Information from: The Hawk Eye, https://www.thehawkeye.com
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