Latest news with #IowaAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Now University of Iowa under state investigation as US intensifies DEI fight across campuses
Governor Kim Reynolds files complaint as University of Iowa faces US DEI probe. (Getty Images) The University of Iowa is currently under investigation by the Iowa Attorney General's Office following a formal complaint filed by Governor Kim Reynolds. The action stems from a video that appears to show a university employee discussing ways staff might be working around new state laws restricting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The complaint was submitted directly by Governor Reynolds to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who confirmed that her office has opened an official investigation. The case has drawn national attention as it aligns with broader efforts to curtail DEI-related initiatives across public institutions in the US. Video triggers complaint and legal response The video, which surfaced publicly and was discussed during a meeting of the Iowa Board of Regents, appeared to show a University of Iowa employee discussing how DEI-related efforts may still be taking place despite legislative restrictions. Governor Reynolds stated in her complaint that the video shows "a blatant disregard for the law and the will of the Legislature — that simply should not be tolerated," as reported by KCCI. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird confirmed her office's involvement in the matter. "We have received the Governor's complaint against the University of Iowa and have opened an investigation," Bird's office stated, according to KCCI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The office emphasized that "Regent universities must comply with our state laws, including the Iowa Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Act — Iowa Code Chapter 261J, Iowa Code Chapter 19, and also an Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 22, 2025. " State officials call for accountability Sherry Bates, president of the Iowa Board of Regents, addressed the issue at the regents' meeting. "This is unacceptable," she said. "Following the law is not optional, nor is working around the law," as quoted by KCCI. University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson responded to the allegations during the meeting, saying the university "takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness." She added that the institution has already reached out to the Board of Regents and the Iowa Attorney General's Office to coordinate investigative efforts, and confirmed that "if at any point we find the policies or laws have been violated, we will take the necessary corrective actions without hesitation," as reported by KCCI. Law prohibits DEI offices and related programs The law cited in the complaint was signed by Governor Reynolds in 2024 and officially took effect on July 1, 2025. It includes a provision banning DEI offices and related programs at Iowa's public universities. Republican House Representative Taylor Collins said he shares the Governor's concern. 'Those folks need to be held accountable,' Collins said. 'Those folks need to be fired,' he added, referring to employees found in violation of the law, as reported by KCCI. Collins also stated that Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa have shown more willingness to comply. Democratic lawmaker challenges interpretation Democratic House Representative Rob Johnson offered a different perspective. He told KCCI that the video does not appear to show someone trying to circumvent the law. "Even after watching the video, it felt like somebody was really trying their best to stick up for people," he said. Johnson further stated that he believes the law is flawed. "We have to make sure that we're looking at diversity," he said, "because if we do not, then we're going to miss out on opportunities of looking at other people's religion, looking at other people's faith, and looking at other people's opportunity to get the medicine that they may even need," as reported by KCCI. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Free ‘Stop the Scammers' session scheduled in Burlington
The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services' 'Stop the Scammers' roadshow, in partnership with the Iowa Attorney General's Office and AARP Iowa, will visit Burlington on Wednesday, May 28, according to a news release. The educational campaign and roadshow seek to educate Iowans on scams impacting the state and how Iowans can best protect themselves from scammers in the digital age. At this educational event, Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services representatives will help participants learn about common scam tactics and the information and resources Iowans can utilize to protect themselves and their hard-earned money from scammers. The session will be 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Catfish Bend Casino, 3001 Winegard Drive, Burlington. Register by Tuesday, May 27 to Nick Meyer at 563- 275-9935 or nmeyer@ The 'Stop the Scammers' education campaign and roadshow is a series of 22 events held across the state of Iowa. The events are designed to educate Iowans on the common tactics utilized by scammers, how to protect yourself from being scammed, and provide free information and resources from state and local authorities. For more information, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Attend a free ‘Stop the Scammers' roadshow
The Stop the Scammers roadshow is a statewide fraud education campaign with the goal of teaching people about scams and how to avoid them. The free seminars offer a light lunch and an opportunity to learn about common scams and how they work. 'With the prevalence of scams rising due to technology, we want to ensure Iowans have all the tools, information, and state and local resources at their disposal to shield their savings.' says Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. The seminar will go into depth about different types of scams such as consumer and investment. Consumer being things like computer and tech support scams, grandparent scams, romance scams, imposter calls, and more. Investment scams are Ponzi or pyramid schemes, affinity fraud, gold and precious metals, crypto currency scams and more. It will also talk about the ways that these scams convince people such as phantom riches, profiling, or fear and intimidation. The show will talk about these more in depth and tips for avoiding scams. To attend an event, RSVP here or call (515) 412-4839. Remaining locations for the show include Ankeny, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Clinton, Council Bluffs, Decorah, Dubuque, Fairfield, Grinnell, Iowa City, Marion, Muscatine, Pella, Sioux City, Storm Lake, Waukee, and Webster City. Shows are hosted by the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services in partnership with the Iowa Attorney General's Office and AARP Iowa. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge orders temporary pause on paying Madison County treasurer amid criminal charges, hearing set
MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – A hearing has been set regarding a petition to remove the embattled Madison County Treasurer from office after she was asked to resign, but did not. In the meantime, county officials have been ordered not to pay her salary, benefits, or any other compensation. Amanda DeVos was elected to a four-year term in November 2022 and began serving that termon Jan. 1, 2023, according to court records. On January 31, 2025, she was arrested for alleged felonious misconduct in office, tampering with records, fraudulent practice in the third degree, and third-degree theft. A criminal complaint states investigators were tipped off in late November of 2024 that DeVos may have used her access as county treasurer to alter government records to make it look like she paid $758 for her vehicle registration plates when she had not. Roughly a month later, the Madison County Sheriff's Office announced additional criminal charges were pending against DeVos. 'These charges are separate from earlier charges filed in relation to vehicle registrations and stem from an investigation into DeVos' own property taxes that were owed for 2023/2024,' said Sheriff Jason Barnes in a written statement at the time. Those charges are expected to be filed by the Iowa Attorney General's Office, which is reportedly conducting an investigation of its own. DeVos was relieved of her duties after a vote during a Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 6. However, it appears she continued to collect her salary and potential benefits for more than two months. She was asked to resign from her position, according to County Attorney Stephen Swanson. When she did not, Swanson took the legal step dictated by Iowa Code Section 66 to force her out of her elected office. It was unclear how much time had passed between when DeVos was asked to resign and when the legal action was taken, but last Friday, Swanson filed a petition to formally remove her from her position and also petitioned for an injunction that would prohibit 'Madison County from distributing salary, benefits, or other compensation to Defendant during the pendency of this action.' DeVosPetitionforRemoval_aef1fbDownload The court filing points to purported investigations by the state AG's Office and the State Auditor's Office and to several incidents of alleged money mishandling by Devos, like when the City of Winterset erroneously received more than a quarter of a million dollars in a series of erroneous financial deposits from the Treasurer's office that were meant for other municipalities. The filing went on to allege, 'the Defendant's continued receipt of public funds while facing felony charges and allegations of gross mismanagement is contrary to the public interest and unjustly enriches her at taxpayer expense.' Devos was making $78,787.13 this year after getting a 3.57% raise, according to online public records posted by the Iowa State Association of Counties. District Judge Stacy Ritchie, for Iowa's Fifth Judicial District, set a public hearing for May 5 at 10 a.m. at the Madison County Courthouse and ruled that 'pending the outcome of these proceedings, Madison County, its officers and agents are temporarily enjoined from disbursing any salary, benefits or other compensation to Amanda DeVos.' DeVos's elected term is set to expire on December 31, 2026. After her initial arrest, WHO-13 discovered that the Winterset Community School District said it was forced to withdraw investment funds to cover payroll after late payments from the Madison County Treasurer. DeVos allegedly blamed many of the financial issues on a third-party systems management company that the county retained. However, multiple leaders of small municipalities and local school districts within Madison County provided documentation to WHO-13 that showed financial errors that impacted their organizations went unacknowledged by the Treasurer for months, despite repeated efforts to notify her. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
AG warns Iowans about scammers impersonating the Iowa Attorney General's Office
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a warning to Iowans on Monday about scammers impersonating as the Iowa Attorney General's Office looking to take money from unsuspecting victims. The office received reports of scammers impersonating Bird and her office on social media to victims of cryptocurrency scams, a news release from spokesperson Alyssa Brouillet said. 'Scammers are attempting to convince these Iowans to send personal or financial information for an alleged 'refund' of the money lost through a cryptocurrency ATM,' the news release said. The scammers are reaching victims through social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram, the news release said. Some of the scam accounts use photos of Bird and a seal claiming to be part of the Division of Criminal Investigation. 'These con artists are so evil that they are even pretending to be me,' Bird said in a statement. 'If someone claiming to be from my office offers you a refund for crypto ATM scams, it's fake. Call my office for help at 1-888-777-4590, and do not send money, personal information, or financial information.' Those who believe they have encountered a scam account can also report them online. José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@ or follow him on X @mendiola_news. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa attorney general issues warning on scammers impersonating AG
