In brief
The Des Moines Public Schools filed a lawsuit against JG Consulting, claiming that the consulting firm did not conduct adequate background checks before recommending Ian Roberts for the superintendent position. Roberts, who was arrested by ICE for being in the U.S. illegally and for possessing firearms, had previously misrepresented his educational credentials. The district seeks to recoup taxpayer funds and address reputational damage caused by the incident.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The largest school district in Iowa is taking legal action against the consulting firm it hired to help identify candidates for the superintendent position, alleging that the firm failed to properly vet Ian Roberts, who was recently arrested by immigration authorities.
Des Moines Public Schools had engaged JG Consulting in 2022 to assist with the leadership search, eventually leading to Roberts’ hiring in the following year. However, Roberts was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week, facing charges for possessing firearms while being in the country illegally.
The school district's lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses JG Consulting of breach of contract and negligence. School board chair Jackie Norris emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “The firm failed its duty to properly vet candidates. Ian Roberts should have never been presented as a finalist.”
Roberts was found to be a native of Guyana and lacked work authorization in the U.S. He faces serious legal challenges following his arrest, including federal firearms charges. Norris noted that if the district had received accurate information during the vetting process, Roberts would not have been hired.
The arrest of Roberts has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting student protests and questions about the integrity of the hiring process. Residents have expressed a sense of betrayal, as Roberts had engaged meaningfully with students prior to the scandal.
Roberts resigned from his position as superintendent following the suspension of his educational license by the state board. Federal officials indicated that he had a prior removal order, which had been denied for reopening, leading to his detention.
The lawsuit against JG Consulting aims to recover taxpayer dollars and address the reputational harm caused by this situation. It highlights the responsibilities of consulting firms to provide thorough background checks on candidates.
After being in the education sector for two decades, Roberts was found to have fabricated elements of his educational background, claiming a doctorate from Morgan State University that he never actually received. This deception was noted during the hiring process but was not fully disclosed to the school board.
The district has firmly stated that it was misled during the entire process, and this lawsuit represents an effort to hold JG Consulting accountable for its lack of due diligence.
