Des Moines Sues Firm Over Superintendent Hiring

Des Moines Public Schools is suing One‑Fourth Consulting LLC (d/b/a JG Consulting), the firm that led the district’s 2023 superintendent search, alleging it breached its contract and was negligent for failing to properly vet Ian Roberts. Roberts resigned after his Sept. 26 arrest by ICE, which says he has not been authorized to work in the U.S. since 2020, is subject to a 2024 deportation order, and has been transferred to U.S. Justice Department custody on federal gun possession charges. Local reporting found Roberts falsely claimed a doctorate from Morgan State and other credentials, prompting scrutiny of DMPS hiring practices. The district says the consulting contract required public‑domain searches, reference checks and a subcontracted background check and alleges the firm’s failures harmed the district; the district paid roughly $41,000 to the firm. A third‑party background firm, Baker‑Eubanks, conducted criminal, credit and academic checks but did not verify work authorization. Other districts where Roberts previously worked are also weighing legal action over allegedly fabricated documents or inadequate vetting.