• A former Iowa investigator is suing the state, claiming he was fired for criticizing a high-profile college sports gambling probe.
• Mark Ludwick alleges his termination was retaliation for testifying that investigators conducted illegal searches and were told to mislead students.
• The gambling investigation, which led to charges against dozens of student-athletes, has faced legal challenges over its methods.

A longtime investigator for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says he was forced out of the agency because he voiced reservations about a high-profile investigation into gambling in college athletics.

Mark Ludwick was hired by Iowa’s top investigative agency in 1997 and was terminated in November 2024, according to a lawsuit filed Feb. 20 in Polk County. According to his complaint, Ludwick was fired after two “frivolous” investigations, one claiming he’d exceeded the speed limit driving to a murder scene, and the other for assistance he provided to a domestic abuse victim.

The real reason, Ludwick alleges, is that officials were embarrassed after Ludwick testified under oath about what he regarded as weaknesses in their sports wagering investigation, which resulted in dozens of Iowa State University and University of Iowa student-athletes facing suspensions, 25 being criminally charged and 19 pleading guilty to underage gambling.

Ludwick testified in early 2024 he believed investigators had conducted illegal searches to identify the online gamblers and that he and other agents had been directed to lie to students about whether they were subjects of the investigation. He also alleged that stress about the case contributed to another agent’s fatal heart attack, although the agent’s relatives disputed the connection.

Now Ludwick is accusing the state of violating Iowa’s whistleblower protection statute. He declined through his attorney to comment. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office also declined to comment, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety, which includes the DCI, did not respond to an inquiry about the case.

Gambling investigation raised constitutional concerns

In the gambling investigation, DCI investigators used software tools provided by GeoComply, a Canadian company that contracts with online sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings, to look for evidence of illegal gambling activity. Using a GeoComply system, the investigators created a so-called “geofence” around college athletic facilities that allowed them to detect student athletes using wagering accounts registered to parents and friends to place bets ― sometimes on their own games.

The ECHL announced today that the League’s Board of Governors has approved the request of the Iowa Heartlanders’ Membership for a Voluntary Suspension for the 2026-27 Season.

During the suspension period, the organization will evaluate strategic alternatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable long-term future for professional hockey in the Corridor, including potential investment or ownership partnerships that support the continued success of the Membership.
 
The ECHL will continue to work with the Heartlanders’ ownership group during the suspension period as the organization evaluates its future. The League remains committed to the continued growth and stability of its member teams and markets.
 
“This was an incredibly difficult decision that followed months of careful evaluation,” said Heartlanders owner Michael Devlin. “Despite significant efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organization, we concluded that stepping back for a season is the most responsible course while we review long-term solutions. As stewards of the team, we believe this step gives the organization the best opportunity to return on a stronger and more sustainable footing.”

“We worked through every potential path that might have allowed us to continue uninterrupted,” Heartlanders President Matt Getz said. “Ultimately, we believe this pause provides the organization the best opportunity to position the Membership for long-term success.”

The Iowa organization expresses deep gratitude to the fans, partners, players, staff and the City of Coralville who have supported the Heartlanders since the team’s founding.
 
The ECHL will play with 30 Members during the 2026-27 season.
 
About the ECHL
 
Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 30 teams in 23 states and one Canadian province for its 38th season in 2025-26. There have been 778 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including 10 who have made their NHL debuts in the 2025-26 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 30 of the 32 NHL teams in 2025-26, marking the 28th consecutive season that the league has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.
 

High on the bluffs overlooking the Upper Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves more than 200 ancient earthen mounds shaped like bears, birds, and spirits of the natural world. Built by Indigenous peoples more than 1,000 years ago, these formations stand as powerful reminders that America’s story stretches far beyond European arrival. At this quiet landscape of forested ridges and sweeping river views, visitors can walk among sacred sites that continue to hold meaning for many Native nations today. Effigy Mounds is both a cultural touchstone and one of the most visually striking archaeological landscapes in the United States.

Location: Harpers Ferry, Iowa

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2WhrGJ8cqh2nsC8L6

Why it matters

Effigy Mounds honors the artistry, engineering, and spiritual traditions of Indigenous communities who shaped these hills centuries before the United States existed. As the nation marks 250 years, this landscape reminds us that America’s story begins long before 1776. The bear, bird and linear mounds — some perfectly aligned with celestial patterns — preserve cultural memory, identity and resilience. They stand as a testament to the first peoples who understood this land as home.

What to see today

Visitors can follow wooded trails to some of the most iconic shapes, including the Great Bear Mound and soaring bird effigies perched above the Mississippi. Interpretive exhibits explain the moundbuilders’ cultures, craftsmanship, and the region’s deep archaeological significance. Listen for wind moving through oak forests and watch eagles ride the river’s currents below. Rangers and tribal partners share stories of ongoing cultural ties, helping visitors understand these earthworks not as relics, but as living heritage.

More: These are 3 of the Most Treasured Views in Iowa. How to find them:

Ask a local

Stop in nearby McGregor for a bite at Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery, where locals drift in for beers and scenic river views or the Backwoods Bar & Grill, a popular spot for casual American pub food.