What we know about the investigation involving Iowa lieutenant governor candidate Derek Wulf

What we know about the investigation involving Iowa lieutenant governor candidate Derek Wulf

The Black Hawk County sheriff says he investigated a report of possible fraud involving Derek Wulf, sent findings to prosecutors

The Black Hawk County sheriff says he investigated a report of possible fraud involving Derek Wulf, sent findings to prosecutors

The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office investigated a report of possible fraudulent activity involving Republican lieutenant governor candidate Derek Wulf and has turned its findings over to the county attorney's office, Sheriff Nate Neff told KCCI.

The new details come days after Republican candidate for Iowa governor Zach Lahn disputed reporting that his running mate was under criminal investigation. Lahn told KCCI that Wulf was "not under criminal investigation" and accused the Des Moines Register, which first reported on the investigation, of not telling the truth.

The sheriff's office received the report Feb. 6 from WCF Financial, which reported possible fraudulent activity involving Wulf and his company, according to Neff.

"On Feb. 6, 2026, we received a report from WCF Financial of possible fraudulent activity being committed by Derek Wulf through the company he owns, Shallow Creek Land and Livestock LLC," Neff said. "We investigated the matter and have turned our findings over to the Black Hawk County Attorney's Office for review. They will determine what, if any, criminal charges are warranted."

No charges have been filed against Wulf.

KCCI contacted the Black Hawk County Attorney's Office to ask when it received the sheriff's findings, where its review stands and whether prosecutors have made a decision about possible charges. The office did not immediately respond to KCCI's request for comment Monday.

Lahn disputes report of criminal investigation

The Des Moines Register reported Sept. 4 that the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office had opened an investigation into Wulf that remained active.

KCCI asked Lahn about that reporting during an interview last week for "KCCI 8 News Close Up."

"I would just say number one, the Des Moines Register is not telling the truth on this," Lahn said. "He's not under criminal investigation."

Lahn described Wulf's situation as similar to financial challenges he said farmers are facing across Iowa. He talked about the difficulty of paying bills when a farmer's line of credit is pulled and said Wulf had gone through a refinancing process.

"At the end of this, nobody's going to lose a dime, and you'll see that this is very similar to what I see farmers going through all across the state," Lahn said.

The Register rejected Lahn's criticism and said it stood by its reporting, calling its coverage "accurate and thorough, based on multiple sources and public records."

"We remain committed to holding power accountable and reporting the facts," a Des Moines Register spokesperson said.

Following the interview with Lahn, KCCI contacted Neff directly to clarify whether his office had an investigation involving Wulf.

"I can confirm that we have an investigation open involving Derek Wulf, but because it's still ongoing, I can't discuss the details of it," Neff initially told KCCI last week.

Neff provided additional information Monday, identifying WCF Financial as the source of the Feb. 6 report and saying his office had investigated the matter and turned its findings over to the Black Hawk County Attorney's Office.

KCCI seeks explanation from Lahn campaign

KCCI asked Lahn's campaign what information Lahn was relying on when he said Wulf was "not under criminal investigation."

KCCI also asked when Lahn first learned the sheriff's office had an investigation involving Wulf, whether he knew about it before selecting Wulf as his running mate, and whether Lahn or anyone with his campaign had received information about the investigation from the sheriff's office.

The campaign did not directly answer those questions.

Lahn campaign spokesperson Dan Capodilupo instead sent KCCI a statement Monday saying in part, "Derek Wulf has not broken the law and any suggestion otherwise is nonsense."

Capodilupo also called the investigation a "politicized witch hunt."

KCCI sent Neff's latest statements to Lahn's campaign Monday and provided another opportunity to respond. As of Monday evening, the campaign had not provided additional information explaining the basis for Lahn's statement that Wulf was "not under criminal investigation."