Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, falsely claimed in his 2023 job application that he held a doctorate from Morgan State University, though he never completed the degree.

The Des Moines school board knew he hadn’t finished the doctorate but hired him anyway after a background check flagged the discrepancy.

Roberts did hold a doctorate from Trident University International, an online institution, which met the district’s minimum requirements for the job.

He recently resigned after being detained by immigration authorities for living and working in the U.S. illegally and is challenging deportation to Guyana, the Associated Press has reported.

The school board called Roberts’ misrepresentation a form of deception affecting students, staff, and the community.