Iowa, Iowa State Athletes File Federal Lawsuit Over Betting Investigation
· 2024-04-26

Iowa, Iowa State Athletes File Federal Lawsuit Over Betting Investigation

Attorneys representing 25 Iowa and Iowa State athletes accused of gambling violations filed a lawsuit Friday against the State of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The 47-page federal lawsuit seeks damages for the athletes, who were subjected to sports betting investigations that attorneys allege overstepped their legal permission.

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and former Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon, who could be selected in this week’s NFL draft, are among the players represented in the legal action.

Attorneys Van Plumb and Matthew Boles allege the athletes had their constitutional rights violated by illegal geofencing searches into their sports wagering habits. The attorneys also allege players like Uwazurike were misled by investigators about the focus of the investigation, leading them to reveal details they otherwise would not have shared.

“Matt Boles and I look forward to the discovery phase in this matter, where we will pursue all additional relevant information as to how this case was allowed to proceed,” Plumb told Sports Handle via email.

The lawsuit focuses largely on the Iowa DCI’s use of GeoComply in its investigation. Boles and Plumb allege their clients were investigated despite DCI having no information about illegal sports betting occurring on either the University of Iowa or Iowa State University campus.

Allegedly, DCI investigators used GeoComply tools to track wagering in athletic department buildings, uncovering wagering among student-athletes. This led to a series of NCAA suspensions and some criminal charges related to underage wagering and identity theft.

The lawsuit also mentions GeoComply ending its partnership with the DCI upon learning of how the investigation unfolded. Iowa DPS Commissioner Stephen Bayens, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, released a statement in March standing by the investigation.

“Throughout the investigation and subsequent prosecution, we continually reviewed our actions and I fully stand behind the investigation and the agents who did the work,” Bayens said in a press release.

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