Filing: Representative felt Iowa wagering probe was illegal

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterJan 23, 2024, 06:06 PM ET

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• College football press reporter.
• Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.A representative associated with the state of Iowa’s

  examination into wagering activities of college professional athletes just recently testified that the probe was an”unlawful search”which he was “misguided” by those in charge.A motion filed Tuesday on behalf of Iowa State

  wrestler Paniro Johnson pointed out a deposition Friday by Mark Ludwick, a special agent with the Iowa Division of Wrongdoer Investigations, which led the wagering inquiry of athletes at both Iowa State and Iowa. Johnson was amongst 15 college athletes charged. He and previous ISU football player Eyioma Uwazurike, now with the Denver Broncos, were charged with felony identity theft. Christopher Sandy, Johnson’s attorney, submitted the movement seeking records about the investigation.According to the filing, Ludwick, a state witness, testified that he was told by a representative leading the operation that the examination would be”simply administrative “and would not result in criminal charges. Ludwick interviewed Iowa State football player Isaiah Lee under that facility, and received confirmation from Lee that he had placed sports wagers under another person’s account.Editor’s Picks 2 Related Troy Nelson, a special agent in charge for Iowa DCI,” congratulated “Ludwick”for getting a confession,

  “according to the movement. Lee was charged

  with damaging records– he allegedly falsified information used to sign up accounts on mobile sports betting apps– and left ISU’s team in August.” Ludwick realized the purpose of the investigation was criminal in nature, with the sole targets being male Division I student professional athletes at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University,” the court filing reads.”Special Representative Ludwick recommended his superiors that he would no longer take part in the investigation, and requested reassignment.” Ludwick also said in his deposition that he understands of other DCI representatives who declined to take part in the examination for the exact same reasons.Ludwick”concluded that Iowa’s DCI performed an illegal search”

  of Iowa and Iowa State athletes without getting a warrant to utilize”GeoFence”technology to get betting activity inside the schools’athletic centers, which are restricted to professional athletes, coaches and staff.A separate movement submitted Monday by Lee’s attorney accused the state of introducing a “warrantless”examination that targeted high-profile college athletes.The movement submitted Monday, looking for discretionary discovery, specifies that Brian Sanger,

  unique representative for Iowa DCI, who led the job force for the examination, and a group of DCI representatives acted”without affordable cause,”noting that no warrant, problems or suggestions of prohibited gambling had actually been obtained before they began the investigation. Sanger obtained access to a software application tool called Kibana that allowed him to see the use of online wagering applications in particular centers through a” GeoFence.”According to Monday’s motion, Sanger did so without a warrant, grievances or ideas of prohibited gambling taking place in Iowa and Iowa State’s athletic facilities.”The DCI does not discuss continuous court proceedings, “David Jobes, assistant director for Iowa DCI, stated in a declaration to

  ESPN.”DCI representatives involved in the investigation serve as witnesses, and it would be improper to make any comments concerning legal filings or other court proceedings.

  “Johnson is not participating in any wrestling satisfies attached to Iowa State, just unattached competitions where he pays his own method. Several football players likewise lost their eligibility for the season, consisting of ISU starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers.”From Day 1, when my athletes called me on that morning in early Might

  , I understood this thing was a mess and I understood it was mishandled and I understood it was mishandled, and I’m grateful it’s emerging now, “Cyclones wrestling coach Kevin Cabinet informed press reporters Tuesday.”These athletes served actually severe charges in the NCAA world, probably harsher

  than I believe they must have. But at the very same time, I’m not dismissing or reducing that they made a mistake.”