LINCOLN — The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission suspended its executive director, Hobert “Hobie” Rupe, without pay Thursday after a federal search warrant was served on the commission a day before.

The now two-member commission met for less than 3 minutes. Commissioner Bruce Bailey of Lincoln, the commission chair, said the search warrant came based on “a joint federal-state investigation into alleged criminal conduct...These alleged offenses relate to his fitness and ability to continue to serve in his present position,” Bailey said. “An immediate suspension is necessary pending receipt of further information.”

A spokesperson for the FBI Omaha office confirmed federal agents executed the search warrant Wednesday, and no arrests were made.

Rupe began serving as the Liquor Control Commission’s executive director Jan. 15, 2004. He previously served almost 10 years as an assistant attorney general. Rupe is admitted to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court, the local U.S. District Court, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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