Des Moines School District Sues Search Firm Over Hiring Illegal Immigrant Superintendent
In a dramatic turn of events that has rocked Iowa’s largest public school system, the Des Moines Independent Community School District has filed a lawsuit against the executive search firm that helped them hire Ian Roberts as superintendent. Roberts, who was appointed in May 2023 with a $270,000 salary, is now in Department of Justice custody after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month. The lawsuit, filed in Iowa District Court for Polk County, accuses One-Fourth Consulting, operating as JG Consulting, of negligence and breach of contract for failing to properly vet Roberts, who turned out to be an illegal immigrant with a concerning criminal history and falsified credentials.
The district’s legal complaint details multiple allegations against JG Consulting, claiming the firm “materially breached the Agreement by, among other things, failing to properly vet Roberts and by referring Roberts as a candidate when he could not lawfully hold the position.” Des Moines school officials are seeking monetary damages to cover the costs associated with the controversy, including expenses for finding a replacement superintendent and compensation for reputational damage inflicted on the district. This case highlights the critical importance of thorough background checks for leadership positions in educational institutions, especially when children’s welfare is at stake.
The implications of this hiring failure extend beyond Des Moines, as JG Consulting has worked with numerous other school districts across the country, including in Texas, Virginia, and elsewhere in Iowa. One such district, the Eanes Westlake Innovative School District in Texas, which is currently using JG Consulting for its own superintendent search, quickly issued a statement to reassure community members of their commitment to “high standards.” Board president Kim McMath stated they would “require JG Consulting to provide extensive background information on all candidates who advance for consideration” and expressed confidence that through a combination of their own “rigorous internal hiring practices and JG Consulting’s enhanced evaluation protocols,” they would receive “well-qualified, carefully vetted candidates.”
Roberts’ legal troubles have continued to mount following his ICE arrest. After being taken into custody, authorities discovered a loaded handgun in his car, resulting in charges for possession of illegal weapons. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Roberts has an extensive criminal history that should have disqualified him from overseeing Iowa’s largest school district. DHS released a statement revealing that Roberts’ “rap sheet and immigration history reveal a long record of criminal conduct in the United States,” which they argue proves “he should never have been serving in a role overseeing children.” His prior convictions reportedly include reckless driving in Maryland (2012), unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania (2022), and multiple charges in New York dating back to 1996 involving narcotics possession with intent to sell and possession of forged instruments.
Further complicating the case, additional concerning details have emerged about Roberts’ past. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Roberts was served a sealed restraining order from Jackson County, Missouri, in August 2023, though the circumstances prompting this order remain unclear due to its sealed status. Adding to the controversy, authorities discovered that Roberts had illegally registered to vote as a Democrat in Maryland, raising questions about voter registration verification processes in that state. These revelations paint a picture of systemic failures across multiple institutions that allowed someone with such a problematic background to secure a leadership position responsible for thousands of students’ education and welfare.
The Des Moines school district’s lawsuit represents more than just a contractual dispute—it highlights the serious consequences of inadequate vetting practices for educational leaders. The district trusted JG Consulting as professional experts in executive searches for educational institutions, reasonably expecting them to conduct thorough background checks and verify candidates’ legal eligibility for employment. Instead, according to the lawsuit, the firm presented Roberts as a suitable candidate when evidence now suggests he was fundamentally ineligible for the position. The financial and reputational costs to the district have been significant, disrupting educational leadership at a time when stability is crucial for student success.
This case serves as a cautionary tale for school districts nationwide about the importance of rigorous vetting procedures for leadership positions, particularly for superintendents who wield considerable influence over educational policy and student welfare. As Roberts remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service in Polk County jail facing federal charges, the Des Moines community continues to grapple with the fallout from this hiring disaster. The outcome of the lawsuit against JG Consulting may establish important precedents regarding the responsibilities of executive search firms and the standards to which they should be held when helping public institutions fill critical leadership roles. For now, the district must focus on rebuilding trust with its community while ensuring that its next superintendent truly meets the high standards deserved by its students, families, and educators.
