Des Moines School District Sues Consulting Firm Over Illegal Immigrant Superintendent with Criminal History

Des Moines Public Schools filed a lawsuit against JG Consulting for failing to properly vet Ian Roberts, the superintendent they hired in 2023, who was later detained by immigration authorities for living in the U.S. without legal status or work authorization. Roberts, a native of Guyana, has a criminal record including drug possession and weapons charges dating back to 1996, with the district aware of some charges early on. The lawsuit alleges JG Consulting breached its contract by not disclosing Roberts' legal and criminal background, which has caused reputational harm and financial damages to the district. Roberts submitted documentation claiming U.S. citizenship during his hiring, but federal immigration officials revealed he had been living illegally in the U.S. since his student visa expired in 2004, with a removal order issued in 2024. School board chair Jackie Norris emphasized the need for accountability and recovery of public funds, pointing out that the firm should have identified these issues given the information now publicly available. Community members and students have reacted strongly to the revelation, with protests and calls for transparency around the hiring process and Roberts' tenure.