Background Check Blunders: Iowa Superintendent's Deceptive Past Uncovered

Sat Nov 22 2025 11:54:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent report reveals troubling details about the hiring practices of Des Moines Public Schools, unveiling a possible forgery in the superintendent's credentials and negligence in background checks.

The Des Moines Public Schools district has released a report shedding light on the questionable hiring of Ian Roberts, its former superintendent charged with falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. The investigation revealed that the district relied on inadequate background checks and potentially forged academic credentials during the hiring process, raising concerns about accountability within the district and the consulting firm involved.

DES MOINES, Iowa (FluxDaily News) — Iowa’s largest school district, Des Moines Public Schools, has published a damning report revealing serious flaws in the hiring process of its former superintendent, Ian Roberts, who faces federal charges for claiming to be a U.S. citizen without proper documentation.

The report, produced by investigator Melissa Schilling, indicates that the district received an abbreviated background check and a transcript that may have been forged. The hiring of Roberts was facilitated through JG Consulting, a national firm that initially put forth his candidacy along with four others.

Schilling found that the district fairly relied on the consulting firm to perform necessary background vetting and disclose any limitations in their investigation. This lack of thoroughness in screening candidates has led the district to consider a lawsuit against JG Consulting, who claims that Des Moines is shifting blame for its hiring oversights.

Roberts, originally from Guyana, was arrested on September 26 and is currently in federal custody awaiting trial scheduled for March 2024.

The report highlights critical issues regarding the consulting firm's failure to use E-Verify—an employment eligibility verification system—during the hiring process. This oversight raises questions about the integrity of JG Consulting and the legitimacy of the information Roberts provided, including his alleged dual citizenship claims supported by a driver’s license and Social Security card.

Looking beyond the immediate implications, the report details discrepancies in Roberts’ education claims, notably his unfounded assertion of holding a doctorate from Morgan State University. Although Roberts was enrolled in a doctoral program from 2002 to 2007, he never completed it. Schilling expressed confidence that the transcript he submitted was indeed forged.

Critically, the investigation revealed that Des Moines Public Schools paid JG Consulting $35,000 for their role in the superintendent search, leading to serious discussions about accountability and the adequacy of background checks in schools across the state.