Travis Hines, Randy Peterson, Des Moines Register
The Story County Attorney’s Office has filed a criminal complaint against Iowa State University quarterback Hunter Dekkers, charging him with tampering with records related to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports gambling.
Dekkers is accused of placing 26 wagers on Iowa State sporting events, including the 2021 football game against Oklahoma State when he was a sophomore backup quarterback, according to the complaint, filed in Iowa District Court for Story County. Dekkers did not play in that game.
The complaint alleges the DraftKings account controlled by Dekkers completed approximately 366 mobile/online sports wagers totaling “over $2,799.”
Dekkers, who started all 12 of the Cyclones’ games last season, would face permanent loss of eligibility under NCAA guidelines that prohibit athletes from wagering on their own games or other sports at their own schools.
Dekkers will not participate in Iowa State’s fall preseason camp practices in order to “focus on his studies and on the defense of this criminal charge,” according to a statement released by his attorneys.
More:What’s next for Iowa State at quarterback following Hunter Dekkers allegations?
All told, three current and one former Iowa State athlete were charged Tuesday with tampering with records in an attempt to disguise their identities while placing sports wagers. In Johnson County, three current or former University of Iowa athletes face the same charge. All are accused of manipulating transactions to create the appearance that their bets were placed by other people.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a Wednesday news release that the “investigation is ongoing and may result in the filing of additional charges.”
Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith said in a statement: “These charges stem from an extensive investigation by the DCI. The investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to ensuring a thorough and fair process.”
Attorney Mark Weinhardt, who is representing Dekkers, said in a statement to the Register: “Hunter Dekkers denies the criminal charge brought against him. He will plead not guilty to that charge because he is in fact not guilty of that charge. This charge attempts to criminalize a daily fact of American life. Millions of people share online accounts of all kinds every day.
“This prosecution interferes with and politicizes what is the business of Iowa State University and the NCAA. The investigation at the Iowa universities is the tip of an iceberg. Thousands and thousands of college athletes place bets — usually very small ones — with shared accounts. That is for the schools and the NCAA to police.”
