DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Public Schools has released a concerning report detailing failures in the background check process for its former superintendent, Ian Roberts, who has been indicted for allegedly falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on official documents.
The report, compiled by attorney Melissa Schilling, indicates that the district received a limited background check and that a transcript provided by Roberts appears to be forged. This has raised serious eyebrows about the vetting practices of the national consulting firm, JG Consulting, which assisted in Roberts' hiring.
Roberts was hired in 2023 with the recommendation of JG Consulting, which had been tasked with finding qualified candidates for the superintendent position. Schilling concluded that the school board had relied on JG Consulting substantially and did not adequately ensure that Roberts' immigration and educational background were properly vetted. The district is expected to use this report in its ongoing legal actions against the consulting firm.
Currently in federal custody, Roberts was indicted by a grand jury on two counts and is awaiting trial. The allegations include possessing firearms illegally while claiming citizenship that he did not possess.
Roberts had submitted a driver’s license and Social Security card as proof of citizenship, which the district relied upon. Schilling pointed out that JG Consulting had assured the school district it was an authorized agent for the government’s E-Verify employment verification system. However, it remains unclear if E-Verify was utilized for Roberts.
The report notes that the background check by Baker-Eubanks, sub-contracted by JG Consulting, was inadequate, reviewing only the last seven years of records when federal law permits looking further back for positions of this nature. Schilling’s findings also highlighted that significant past charges, including a weapons infraction and a reckless driving conviction, would likely have been uncovered if the check had been more thorough.
In the wake of these events, the board’s hiring process and the consulting firm’s accountability have come under scrutiny, especially since some records indicated clearer criminal behavior that should have been revealed during Roberts' hiring.
Roberts had falsely claimed on his resume that he obtained a doctorate from Morgan State University, a claim that was contradicted by the university itself. The educational documentation provided has led Schilling to believe it was likely forged, further complicating the narrative surrounding Roberts' hiring.
