DES MOINES, Iowa () Iowa’s largest school district filed a lawsuit Friday against the consulting company it hired to identify superintendent candidates, alleging the company did not properly vet an educator who was arrested by immigration authorities last week. The lawsuit comes as more about his past achievements face mounting skepticism.

U.S. immigration officials have said Ian Roberts, a Guyana native, was in the U.S. illegally and had no work authorization. Federal prosecutors charged Roberts on Thursday with possessing four firearms while in the U.S. illegally, including one authorities said was wrapped in a towel inside the Jeep Cherokee he was driving when agents pulled him over, according to court filings.

According to Justice Department documents, Roberts filed for permanent resident status three times and was denied in each instance. The department also alleges Roberts had not had authorization to work in the U.S. since 2020. He, according to the department, was ordered to be removed from the country in May of 2024.

He is also facing accusations of fabricating past distinctions.

Roberts’ official resume claims he was named George Washington University’s 2013 “Washington, D.C. principal of the year” at Anacostia High School.

The university, however, denied that claim in a statement to .

“The university has no record of awarding such recognition to D.C. principals, and did not present this award.”

Roberts also claimed he completed programs at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

“Ian Roberts did not receive any degree or certificate from Morgan State University,” the school’s office of public relations told .

Roberts left his last position at Mill Creek High Township in Pennsylvania amid several sexual discrimination lawsuits for the position in Iowa.

During his time in Mill Creek, the school board raised questions about his doctorate, according to minutes of their board meetings obtained by .

“Dr. Roberts lacked the educational certificate from his educational facilities that he obtained his doctorate,” according to those notes.

Roberts’ attorney told his client attended an “international school.” Roberts’ attorney later recalled the name Trident International, an online university based in Chandler, Arizona.

Roberts will remain detained in federal custody pending further proceedings.