Lang
3/1/24
Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety say they’re disappointed in the Story County Attorney’s Office’s decision to drop all charges against four Iowa State University student-athletes caught up in the department’s collegiate gambling investigation.
Brian Sanger, a special agent with the Department of Criminal Investigation, is accused of failing to obtain warrants when he used a device to scan the active cellphones inside freshman and sophomore dormitories and athletic facilities at both Iowa State and the University of Iowa to see if anyone was using gambling apps. Sanger, who said he was investigating potential game fixing, allegedly did so without receiving any tips or orders from his superiors.
The investigation led to multiple student-athletes at both universities being suspended and/or pleading guilty to minor gambling charges for betting on games.
Story county prosecutors announced on Friday that they would be dropping all charges in four cases involving Cyclone student-athletes. In their statement, they said the DCI may have gone beyond its scope by scanning the devices inside the buildings without a warrant. That opinion is shared by the company that makes the scanning technology, GeoComply, which has since revoked the DCI’s use of their product over concerns the agency was overstepping its authority in its use.
The DPS, which oversees the DCI, issued a statement from director Stephan Bayens Friday night in which Bayens says he is disappointed in the Story County attorney for dropping all charges. Bayens claims his agency consulted with legal experts throughout the investigation to make sure the proper steps were being taken. He said the inquiry “uncovered concerns of a seismic magnitude” that needed to be addressed. He also questioned if Iowans would be as upset with the investigation if it did not involve college athletes.
Lawyers for the four Iowa State players say they are now exploring a civil lawsuit against the state, and several other affected athletes may do so as well.