Iowa School District Scandal: Superintendent Charged After Vetting Failure

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa’s largest school district faces a major crisis. Its former superintendent was arrested by federal immigration agents. The district hired him last year with help from a national consulting firm.

A new investigative report reveals the district received an incomplete background check. It also likely received a forged academic transcript during the hiring process. This situation has sparked a legal battle over who is responsible for the vetting failure.

Consultant Blamed for Inadequate Background Check

Des Moines Public Schools hired Ian Roberts in 2023. They used the firm JG Consulting to lead the superintendent search. The district paid the Texas-based company $35,000 for its services.

According to the report from investigator Melissa Schilling, the school board “reasonably relied” on the consultant. The firm was expected to properly vet candidates or disclose any limitations in their process. The background check provided only covered the past seven years.

Federal law allows more extensive checks for high-salary positions. A more thorough check might have uncovered a 2012 reckless driving conviction in Maryland. It also may have revealed older criminal charges from New York in 1996.

Federal Indictment and Forged Credentials Uncovered

Ian Roberts now faces a federal indictment. He is charged with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form. Officials arrested him on September 26, and he remains in federal custody awaiting a March trial.

Roberts provided a driver’s license and Social Security card as documentation. The investigator found he also falsely claimed a doctorate from Morgan State University. Schilling wrote she is “fairly confident” the transcript he provided was forged.

When arrested, authorities found four firearms in his possession. One was discovered wrapped in a towel in his school-issued vehicle. He faces additional charges for unlawfully possessing a firearm while being in the country illegally.

The district is now suing JG Consulting. The consulting firm argues the district is trying to shift blame for its own failures. They state the district knew about resume problems but hired Roberts anyway.

This case highlights critical vulnerabilities in executive vetting processes for public institutions. The Iowa school district scandal serves as a cautionary tale for organizations relying on external consultants for high-stakes hiring.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Ian Roberts?

Ian Roberts was the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools. He was arrested in September and charged with falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. He is originally from Guyana and is currently in federal custody.

What company conducted the background check?

JG Consulting led the superintendent search for the district. They subcontracted the background check to a third-party company called Baker-Eubanks. The check only covered the past seven years despite federal allowances for more extensive vetting.

What criminal history did Roberts have?

Federal authorities provided a list including 1996 drug charges in New York. He also had a 2012 reckless driving conviction in Maryland and a 2022 weapons charge in Pennsylvania. The background check only flagged the most recent weapons charge.

How did the fake doctorate go unnoticed?

Roberts claimed a doctorate from Morgan State University that he never earned. The investigator believes the transcript he provided was forged. The background check flagged the discrepancy, but board members say the consulting firm never raised the issue.

What is the district doing now?

Des Moines Public Schools has released the investigative report and is pursuing legal action against JG Consulting. The district argues it relied on the firm’s professional vetting process. The consulting firm denies responsibility for the hiring failure.

Trusted Sources

Associated Press, Reuters