MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – More troubled waters could be ahead for Madison County leadership.

The Madison County Sheriff has confirmed to WHO-13 that another investigation is forming
surrounding the county government. This only two months after elected Treasurer Amanda DeVos was arrested for fraud and other charges.

Via email Tuesday night, Sheriff Jason Barnes said he is forwarding a complaint regarding a consulting firm hired by Madison County Auditor Teri Kaczinski to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

His email stated, in part: “…numerous residents have made complaints to this office in regard to (Craig) Bergman, the Board of Supervisors, the Madison County Auditor, and the consulting contract.

Due to the nature of the complaint and the officials they pertain to, we will be forwarding the complaint to Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation who will handle the investigation.”

Bergman, of Des Moines, owns the ‘Robert Morris Group,‘ a political consulting agency commonly referred to as ‘RMG.’ According to records WHO-13 has obtained, RMG was hired on January 28, 2025, for $250 an hour to provide “efficiency and operational stabilization services.” The county ultimately paid Bergman more than $7,353.60 for 29 hours allegedly worked over two days at the courthouse.

However, the hiring of the consulting agency was never approved before the Board of Supervisors and there was a large public outcry after residents caught wind of the contract, especially in light of major budget cuts happening within the county.

The work RMG group was conducting was eventually frozen and then terminated.

An online search shows Bergman also owns a company that claims to use blockchain technology to secure voter data systems. Part of the contract between RMG and Madison County states a key action of the agency’s help was with “a special emphasis on the document of election-related processes to ensure readiness for the upcoming special election.”

Sheriff Barns said concerns have been raised over if Bergman had access to county voting equipment or it’s software, and about prior relationships he may have had with some county leaders. Those concerns are part of the complaint that is being sent to the DCI for investigation, he told WHO-13’s Katie Kaplan.

WHO-13 reached out to Bergman and Auditor Teri Kaczinski for comment multiple times over the past week, but did not receive a response.