This story was updated at 10:35 a.m.
Governor Chet Culver says he is "very troubled" that a Waterloo lawmaker has been accused of fibbing on his home address in order to save about $37,000 in tuition for his children to attend the Price Lab School at the University of Northern Iowa.
Representative Kerry Burt of Waterloo, a Democrat, is a former Hawkeye football player who was elected to a seat in the Iowa House last November. A spokesman for the Iowa Democratic Party has declined to comment on Burt’s case.
Culver, a Democrat, spoke with statehouse reporters this morning. "I’m very troubled," Culver said. "I’m very concerned about the alleged wrongdoings involved."
Culver, however, said Burt is just accused at this point and deserves his day in court. "I think we need to figure out exactly what happened with each and every person who was allegedly involved and again I think it’s important for the investigation to continue and I expect we will have a much better understand of exactly who was involved and what they did or didn’t do wrong," Culver said.
"And I might have more to say once we get more of the facts on the table." Culver notes there were eight other families who fibbed their addresses and reduced their tuition bills, including the director of the Price Lab School. Dave Smith is now the superintendent in Spirit Lake.
"This is a real concern that needs to be investigated thoroughly and any and all responsible for doing anything wrong should be held accountable," Culver said.
Culver has not talked with Burt about the case. "I want this investigation to move forward and because there is a pending legal investigation, it would not be appropriate to communicate with anyone involved at this point," Culver said.
Representative Burt was also arrested and charged with drunken driving in Ankeny earlier this year. His trial on those charges has been delayed ’til late August.
Last week the chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa said Burt has shown a "lack of respect for the law" and should resign from the legislature.