Note From David B. Wheeler

Film Friends - It wasn't reported in the news but late Thursday afternoon the former Director of the Legal and Compliance Department and team for IDED, Melaine Johnson, testified for the defense. The legal and compliance department's role is to assist all programs at IDED to manage contracts (legal), visiting film sets/filming sites to ensure equipment is being used (compliance) as registration/co...ntracts provided, the final amounts of tax credit awards are correct (legal) and the obligations made by movie producers are met (compliance). Much of her knowledge is attorney client privileged but it was very significant that she testified when she suggested IDED Legal and Compliance Department (with more than 15 staff) begin to provide their services and expertise for the Film Office in 2008, Director of IDED Mike Tramontina told her "No." Why wasn't this reported in the press? The Director of the IDED told the legal and compliance department no to assisting the Iowa Film Office. A very significant statement by the IDED's former lawyer and clearly part of the problem with the IFO. Melaine was unfairly thrown under the bus and fired as well.