Overview

• Ian Roberts remains in federal custody after an ICE arrest last month, with allegations he lacked work authorization and illegally possessed a firearm.
• The Associated Press found Roberts was promoted by Lively Paradox and co-authored books with founder Nicole Price as districts he led awarded the firm paid work.
• In September 2023 he sought emergency approval for $116,000 in training contracts that included Lively Paradox, which procurement officials flagged as a conflict before the special meeting was canceled.
• District records show a subsequent $6,476 payment to Lively Paradox for a two-hour board retreat session in December 2023 that fell within the superintendent’s approval authority.
• Nicole Price said she saw no impropriety and was unaware of Roberts’ immigration status, while a Federalist opinion piece framed the case as political and claimed, citing DHS records, decades of violations.