Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller filed a lawsuit today against several film makers who are accused of conspiring to defraud the state out of millions of dollars in tax credits. Miller filed the civil lawsuit in Polk County District Court against five individuals and four companies involved in producing or pursuing 15 movie projects in the state.
The suit seeks at least $5.5 million in damages. The action follows the release of a state audit showing nearly $26 million of tax credits awarded under the program were issued improperly. (Audit story)
The film tax credit program was shut down last year after questions were raised about its operations. Five state employees were fired or resigned.
The attorney general said he will continue to review the findings of the state audit and new criminal charges are likely. The Attorney General’s office previously filed criminal charges against four individuals – including former Iowa Film Office manager Tom Wheeler.