Employer of man accused of killing Mollie Tibbetts: 'We took steps to vet him'

Craig Lang is the former president of the Iowa Farm Bureau, former President of the Iowa Board of Regents, and recently ran to be the Republican nominee for agriculture secretary. Lang spoke at Wednesday afternoon's press conference and expressed sadness over the loss of Mollie Tibbetts and said his family's farm is working closely with authorities.

"I am deeply saddened by the news of Mollie Tibbetts," said Craig Lang.

Dane Lang is a manager for the farm. He says measures were taken prior to the hiring of Cristhian Rivera to make sure he could legally work in the United States.

"We screen every applicant through the Social Security administration's Social Security number verification service," said Dane Lang.

Lang did go on to say an employee thought the system they use was the same as the E-verify system, but now know that isn't the case.

He also said they now know Rivera used a different name when he applied, but can't say what name he used.

Craig Lang himself did work for Yarrabee Farms, that is according to the Federal Election Commission. Their records also show Lang has donated more than $1,200 since 2015 to Republican candidates who have expressed an interest in stricter immigration regulations like Donald Trump and Rand Paul. But at the press conference Lang insisted he believes this moment is not the time for politics.

"There will be plenty of time to discuss immigration, but, however, now is not the time," said Craig Lang.

Lang says the farm has provided Rivera's personnel information and hiring records to authorities.