Iowa agency defends search

DPS methods questioned in college gambling probe

The agency that oversees the enforcement of Iowa’s gambling laws issued a statement Wednesday defending its investigation into sports wagering by athletes at Iowa and Iowa State.

Defense attorneys for three former or current Iowa State athletes wrote in court documents filed last week that there was no probable cause for the searches into online wagering activities that resulted in criminal charges and lost NCAA eligibility.

The state Department of Public Safety said in its statement that it believes its methods stand up to legal scrutiny.

“The Department traditionally does not comment on active investigations or litigation in an effort to ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by our justice system rather than the media,” the statement said. “We believe the evidence was obtained in a constitutionally permissible manner. Ultimately it is up to the courts to decide.”

Attorneys for former Iowa State football players Isaiah Lee and Jirehl Brock and wrestler Paniro Johnson wrote in motions for discovery that special agents for the state Division of Criminal Investigation acted improperly.

Lee, Brock and Johnson were among about two dozen Iowa State and Iowa athletes criminally charged.

Those three each face a felony charge of identity theft and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of tampering with records. Former Iowa State football player Enyi Uwazurike, who faces the same charges as the other three in Iowa, is now with the Denver Broncos and was suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in 2022.

Most of the Iowa and Iowa State athletes who were charged pleaded guilty to underage gambling, paid fines and had identity theft charges dropped. The identity theft charges stemmed from athletes registering accounts on mobile sports betting apps under different names, usually a relative.