Lang
1/23/24
An agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is accused of violating the privacy of hundreds of University of Iowa and Iowa State University students in what lawyers say was a rogue investigation that was not initially approved by his supervisors and was conducted without a warrant.
That’s according to court filings submitted on Monday on behalf of a pair of former Cyclone football players charged with Tampering with Records and Identity Theft in connection with a sports gambling investigation at both universities. The filings indicate DCI special agent Brian Sanger took it upon himself to use a device that can scan nearby cellphones for which apps are being used at a given time. Despite there being no tips or allegations, Sanger allegedly parked outside an unspecified dormitory for freshman and sophomores on the UI campus, set up a geofence and began scanning the mobile devices inside. While the device allowed Sanger to see if gambling apps were being used, it could not discern if bets were actually being made. It also allowed him to see the account numbers on the apps, but it could not determine their users’ identities.
Despite being told by his superiors to discontinue the investigation, Sanger allegedly next targeted an athletic facility on the UI campus which is only open to student-athletes. Lawyers say he then cross-referenced the account numbers from the dorm to those at the athletic facility.
Sanger took the new information back to his supervisors, who then approved continuing the investigation. That led to subpoenas and new investigations at both Iowa and Iowa State.
The subsequent investigations led to numerous athletes at both schools being charged with criminal offenses, and in some cases suspensions or loss of NCAA eligibility.
The DCI had yet to comment on the allegations as of Tuesday morning.