The controversy surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death has taken another turn after the state of Iowa agreed to pay $125,000 to a public defender fired over her online remarks.

At the time, Charlie’s death caused divided reactions on social media between liberals and conservatives, with many people facing backlash for their takes.

His widow, Erika Kirk, has since taken over the reins of his Turning Point USA organization but has also come under fire from critics. For instance, the CEO was recently slammed as a “hypocrite” for receiving an honorary degree despite Charlie’s famous “college scam” rhetoric.

Charlie Kirk Remarks Lead To $125K Payment For Fired Public Defender

The state of Iowa has been ordered to make a six-figure payment to a veteran public defender who was terminated last year following private social media comments about the death of Charlie.

The conservative activist was fatally shot in September 2025. At the time, several people made derogatory comments about his death, with some appearing to celebrate it because they disagreed with many of his views.

Iowa attorney Maria Ruhtenberg was among those who weighed in, posting on her private Facebook page using the idioms “live by the sword, die by the sword” and “you reap what you sow,” per reports.

Court filings showed that she also expressed disagreement with Charlie’s views on the Second Amendment, while stating that his killer deserved to go to prison.

The Iowa Attorney Was Later Reinstated

The same day she posted, Ruhtenberg was fired from her position at the Office of the State Public Defender. Later in November, she contested the decision with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, after which she was reinstated and paid in full.

Ruhtenberg then alleged that her firing was a retaliatory act that violated her First Amendment rights and sued for additional damages.

Earlier this month, the state appeal board concluded the lawsuit and ruled that the state should pay Ruhtenberg $125,000: $75,000 to her and $50,000 to her attorneys.

At the time of the ruling, her lawyer, Attorney David Albrecht, confirmed that she is still gainfully employed with the board.

Charlie Kirk Backlash Has Led To More Iowa Employment Disputes

Ruhtenberg’s case is the second major settlement in Iowa related to the fallout from Charlie’s death.

At least ten public employees across the state were reportedly disciplined or fired for comments made following the September incident, sparking a wave of lawsuits and controversy, as many claimed their employment should not infringe on their freedom of expression rights.

Last month, the Creston Community School District reached a $145,000 settlement with Creston High School teacher Melisa Crook.

Crook wrote on Facebook after Charlie’s death that “he is a terrible human being… terrible. I do not wish death on anyone, but him not being here is a blessing.”

The school teacher later apologized and said she did not condone violence, but the district still placed her on leave and sought to terminate her employment.

Erika Kirk Slammed For Accepting Honorary Degree

Recently, critics have accused Erika of being a “hypocrite” after she accepted an honorary degree for public service from the Christian institution Hillsdale College. They questioned why she would receive the honor despite her late husband’s vocal aversion to colleges.

The institution’s president, Dr. Larry Arnn, had promised to honor the couple while speaking at a memorial service for Charlie. He told graduates that he was initially careful and had doubts about befriending the former CEO.

“I tried to help Charlie be a good citizen, and he was a very good citizen. But above all, he was a student teaching others to love freedom, to learn high things, to get married and have children, to be responsible, to love the Lord,” Arnn said, per New York Post.

Erika Encouraged Graduates To Follow Charlie Kirk’s Example

Despite being a vocal advocate of anti-college rhetoric, Charlie reportedly took online courses at Hillsdale College and grew close to its president.

Speaking at the commencement ceremony, Erika noted that he saw the Christian college as different from others, saying it helped him become a more “serious” individual and “thought leader.”

She added that because of the knowledge he gained there, Charlie was able to “recognize his duty to pursue truth and to defend liberty, and this responsibility he felt to God.”

She then encouraged graduates to follow in her late husband’s footsteps, explaining that they would “come to understand that life is not defined by the abundance of options, but by the weight of the choices” they make within themselves.