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An independent audit of Iowa’s film tax credit program has found numerous problems, and Iowa’s Attorney General is launching a criminal investigation.

“We are not permitted by ethical rules to discuss the possible subjects, focus or other details of the investigation,” said Attorney General Tom Miller in a statement.

State officials were incorrect when they said Wednesday that the state would not have to issue tax credits for 109 film projects that received initial approval but are not under contract, Attorney General Tom Miller said Thursday.
“The state’s obligations and liabilities may not be determined solely by whether a contract has been signed by the [...]

The future cost of projects currently under contract as part of the tax credit program aimed at enticing filmmakers to work in the state is a little more than $78 million, according to figures released Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
An earlier report by The Des Moines Register said the cost would be [...]

The controversy surrounding the state’s tax credit program designed to lure film projects to Iowa is just a small part of a much bigger problem, Charles Bruner, co-director of the nonpartisan Iowa Fiscal Partnership, said Wednesday in in Op-Ed published by The Des Moines Register.

Fred Hubbell has accepted Gov. Chet Culver’s offer to serve as the interim director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). He will replace Mike Tramontina, who resigned abruptly Friday.
Hubbell steps into the role with controversy swirling around a state tax credit administered by IDED aimed growing the Iowa’s film and television industry. Accusations [...]

Gov. Chet Culver has fired the manager of the Iowa Film Office following allegations of misconduct surrounding a state tax credit program he administered.
Tom Wheeler, who was put on paid administrative leave on Friday after problems were discovered in the Film, Television and Video Promotion Program, has been dismissed effective Monday afternoon, the governor said [...]

Criminal charges surrounding the investigation into alleged misconduct in the state’s film tax credit program are certainly possible, but are not likely, Chief Deputy Auditor Warren Jenkins said.
The Des Moines Register reported Monday afternoon that “criminal charges could be forthcoming” in the investigation, citing comments from Jenkins. However, in an interview with the Iowa Independent, [...]

Gov. Chet Culver has asked Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Iowa Auditor David Vaudt to assist in a probe of a state tax credit program designed to assist the movie industry that has come under scrutiny in recent days.

Things are bound to get a little scary in the Quad Cities next month when Donald Borchers, director and producer of a remake of the 1983 horror movie “Children of the Corn” begins filming.

[Commentary] It would be difficult to imagine the reaction if Americans turned on their television sets tonight and watched their favorite sitcom’s leading characters debate and then decide, without regrets or “lucky” miscarriages, on an abortion. No doubt the various advocacy groups would draw their political swords, some calling for boycotts and federal regulation while [...]