An advocacy group has filed a formal ethics complaint against Iowa state Rep. Shannon Lundgren, alleging she improperly used her official title and Statehouse letterhead in a personal letter vouching for a Dubuque County man convicted of child abuse.
The new complaint, filed Aug. 24 by Kaylara Hoadley of North Iowa Fights Back, a Mason City-based advocacy group, centers on a July 13 letter first reported by Iowa Starting Line that Lundgren sent to the judge overseeing the sentencing of David “Dave” Lehmann, 68, of Farley.
Court documents show Lehmann was initially charged with several felony counts for sexually abusing three girls younger than 13. He was convicted of lascivious acts with a child in 2022 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The judge suspended that sentence so Lehmann avoided additional prison time as long as he complied with five years of probation.
In her letter, written on official Iowa House of Representatives letterhead identifying herself as a state representative, Lundgren wrote that she was providing the reference “as a character witness for Dave Lehmann.” She described him as a longtime regular at her family’s restaurant, Trackside Bar & Grill in Peosta, calling him “consistently friendly, optimistic, polite, and respectful” and pointing to his volunteer work in Epworth.
The complaint alleges Lundgren’s letter went beyond a personal reference because it featured her legislative committee assignments, her official Statehouse contact information, and the Capitol building’s likeness — all of it, the complaint argues, deployed on behalf of a private citizen in a personal legal matter.
“When an elected official uses the authority and resources of their public office in a personal matter, I believe the public deserves to know whether that use was appropriate and consistent with the ethical standards expected of Iowa legislators,” Hoadley said in a statement announcing the complaint. “This complaint is simply a request for an independent review and determination based on the facts.”
The complaint asks the House to review the matter under Iowa Code Chapter 68B, the state’s ethics and lobbying law, and under the preamble to the House Code of Ethics, which calls on members to “reflect credit” on the General Assembly and “inspire the confidence, respect, and trust of the public.” Hoadley’s filing points specifically to the code’s restrictions on using “official evidences of office or employment” for outside activities.
An ethics complaint is an allegation, not a finding of wrongdoing. Under Iowa Code, it triggers a review by the appropriate House authorities, who will determine whether Lundgren’s conduct violated ethics rules or state law.
Iowa Starting Line has reached out to Lundgren for comment on the letter and again the complaint. She did not respond to earlier questions about whether she was aware of the nature of Lehmann’s conviction when she wrote the letter, or why she chose to use her official title rather than write as a private citizen.
Following Iowa Starting Line’s original story, she wrote the following post on Facebook:
My full statement.
“I wrote a character reference for Dave Lehmann after being asked to do so by his family. Submitting character letters is a standard part of the legal process, and it is up to the court to weigh all information and make its final decision.
My letter spoke strictly to my personal interactions with him and how he treated me and my staff—I never commented on the legal charges, nor did I claim he was innocent.
First and foremost, my deepest sympathy and concern are with the victims and their family for the pain they have experienced. I also hold sympathy for Mr. Lehman’s (sic) family who are navigating an extremely difficult situation. My focus is always on assisting families who reach out to me for help as was the case in this situation.”
Lundgren represents Iowa House District 65, which includes Peosta, Epworth, Farley, and Dyersville. She is up for reelection in 2026 and is running against Democrat Carolyn Wiezorek.
