Overview

• Ian Roberts remains in federal custody after an ICE operation in late September in which agents reported finding a loaded handgun in his vehicle.
• District records show Roberts sought emergency approval in September 2023 for $116,000 in training contracts that included Lively Paradox, withdrew the request after conflict warnings, then approved a $6,476 payment to the firm that December.
• An Associated Press review found Roberts had a longstanding partnership with Lively Paradox founder Nicole Price, with tens of thousands of dollars in work following him to districts where he held leadership roles.
• Des Moines Public Schools has sued One-Fourth Consulting/JG Consulting over Roberts’ hiring, while the firm notes it has completed more than 65 superintendent searches and hundreds of other executive placements nationwide.
• Two districts say Roberts passed background and work-eligibility checks, yet questions persist over his authorization to work and claimed degrees, fueling calls by lawmakers to expand use of the federal E-Verify system.