Iowa Gov. Reynolds supports state’s sports betting investigation

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said this week she “wholeheartedly” supports the state’s investigation into illegal sports betting by current and former University of Iowa and Iowa State student-athletes.

However, the leader of the state commission that oversees gambling in Iowa, in a phone conversation with a parent of one of the student-athletes who was charged with tampering with records as part of the sports betting investigation, said “a lot of people don’t agree” with how the state’s investigation was handled, according to a transcript of the call in a court filing published this week.

Earlier this year, 16 current and former UI and ISU student-athletes and other individuals were charged with placing illegal bets and tampering with records to conceal their involvement. At least five placed illegal bets on games in which they participated, according to charges filed by prosecutors.

The investigation, which was announced in May, was led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Some of the charges were effectively dismissed when prosecutors allowed a legal deadline to pass; other individuals pleaded guilty to lesser charges that did not call for jail time.

Reynolds was asked about the investigation during a news conference on Wednesday. She referred specific questions to the Iowa Department of Public Safety — which houses the Division of Criminal Investigation — but expressed strong support for the state’s investigation.

“They did the job. They received inquiries about an issue and they did what they do. … And I think they were surprised at some of the results that they found,” Reynolds said. “They don’t check in with me, but I support wholeheartedly the department and the decisions that were made.”

But in a court filing published Wednesday, Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission Administrator Brian Ohorilko told one of the charged student-athletes’ parents, according to a phone call transcript, that there may have been “philosophical differences” with the Division of Criminal Investigation.

“I have some strong feelings, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to tell you. I do think there’s maybe some philosophical differences in how this took place,” Ohorilko told Brad Hanika, the father of Iowa State football player DeShawn Hanika, during a June 8 phone call, according to court documents.

During two subsequent phone calls, Ohorilko also said to Brad Hanika on June 13, “I don’t know if everybody looks at it the same way that the DCI looks at it,” and on Sept. 7, “A lot of people don’t agree with how things have been handled,” according to the court filing.

Ohorilko, in a statement emailed to The Gazette Friday, said he regularly takes phone calls from the public in an effort to operate the commission with transparency and integrity.

“As Administrator, I take the Commission's mission of maintaining the integrity of gaming within the State of Iowa very seriously. I strive to be transparent with all who take interest in gaming related issues as I feel integrity and transparency go hand-in-hand,” Ohorilko said. “While I certainly do not condone breaking Iowa law, as a dad and coach, I was able to empathize with Mr. Hanika and his son’s situation. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission did not request or conduct this investigation.”

The charge against DeShawn Hanika — tampering with records — eventually was dismissed. The conversations between Ohorilko and Brad Hanika were filed by the attorney for former Iowa State football player Eyioma Uwazurike who still faces charges of identify theft, a class D felony, and tampering with records, an aggravated misdemeanor. The felony charge carries a punishment of up to five years in prison, and the misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years in jail. Uwazurike has pleaded not guilty.

During her news conference this week, Reynolds added that she thinks more education is needed to ensure student-athletes fully understand the consequences of sports betting that violates state law or the rules that govern college athletics. She acknowledged that such education and information campaigns already exist, but said perhaps even more are needed.

“This is a wake-up call, too. We just have to do better education, make sure that these kids understand the consequences of doing this. This is preventable,” Reynolds said. “And I know they do, but we might need to (do more), just because it’s so available and it’s so easy. We really might need to double down on our efforts to make sure that they understand the consequences that are involved.”

Iowa v. Eyioma Uwazurike Court Filing by Gazetteonline on Scribd

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