Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — Ian Roberts, the supervisor of Iowa’s largest school district, was detained by immigration agents for living and working illegally in the U.S. He falsely claimed to have a PhD in Urban Education Leadership from Morgan State University when he applied for his position two years ago. Although he attended the doctoral program from 2002 to 2007, the university confirmed he never completed it.
The Des Moines school board was aware of this misrepresentation during the hiring process but still chose to hire him. His background check, conducted by a third-party firm, initially showed he had completed his degree; however, it was later flagged that this was inaccurate. Subsequently, the board learned of his deceit only after his hiring.
Roberts also claimed to have another PhD from Trident University, which he actually obtained in 2021. His misleading resume raised questions about his integrity, prompting concerns from education experts regarding his role in overseeing the district.
In recent developments, Roberts remains in detention as preparations for his deportation to Guyana are underway. His attorney mentioned ongoing discussions related to his immigration status.
Additionally, Roberts was involved in a costly personnel settlement during his previous role in Pennsylvania, which included allegations of illegal treatment of subordinates. The situation has attracted significant scrutiny, and the community is left grappling with the implications of his false claims.
