In 2021, a sports betting scandal swept through Iowa of all places. The first college betting scandal since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports wagering, it ensnared athletes from both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. Athletes included NFL player Eyioma Uqazurike and ISU starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) led the inquiry. But the DCI may have stepped out of bounds. A contingent of 26 athletes have sued the state charging an unconstitutional investigation, violating the 4th and 14th amendments. The federal suit filed in the Southern District of Iowa accused the state, the DCI, and a handful of DCI employees of warrantless searches and unlawful seizures.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission gave GeoComply—which tracks locations of bettors—permission to share data with the investigative unit without a warrant.
Since GeoComply data did not include names, only account numbers, agent Brian Sanger had DCI subpoena those operators for names attached to the accounts. DCI interrogated and arrested athletes, in some cases appropriated suspects’ cell phones based on the evidence Sanger discovered.
The lawsuit charges agents offered insufficient training and supervision.
