Legislators may try to seize property from the people who’re accused of misappropriating money from a central Iowa job training agency. Four people now stand accused in the scandal revolving around the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium.

A fifth person who was the former chief operating officer at CIETC has pleaded guilty to charges that he participated in the padding of executive salaries and bonuses. John Bargman has also promised to testify against the others who stand accused.

A state audit found top CIETC executives were paid lavishly. CIETC’s top manager even bought a houseboat she dubbed “The Good Life.” Legislators will try to see whether they have the authority to seize that boat and other property to try to recover misspent funds.

 In public statements, legislators have used words like “corrupt” to describe the four people who were charged yesterday. Governor Culver’s spokesman says it is clear that “certain people” have violated the public’s trust.