SASSE EXPECTED TO RESIGN FROM SENATE

WASHINGTON- According to two sources close to Sen. Ben Sasse, and KFAB talk show host Ian Swanson, the Senator is expected to resign his seat in the coming months to assume the role of president at the University of Florida.

In the case of a Sasse resignation, Governor Ricketts would fill the empty seat with a person of his choosing. This appointed Senator would serve in the seat until 2024, causing both Nebraska Senate seats to be up for grabs during a presidential election year. Afterward, in 2026, the seats would resume their normal rotation. 

Sen. Sasse is currently serving his second term in the seat, and has made a name for himself in the Senate as a Trump-critic and unwavering Conservative vote-caster. 

Sasse played a sizable role in former President Trump's second impeachment trial, denouncing the ex-President's claims that he had won the election "by a landslide." 

Sasse stated during an impeachment hearing that "First, President Trump lied that he 'won the election by a landslide.' He lied about widespread voter fraud, spreading conspiracy theories despite losing 60 straight court challenges, many of his losses handed down by great judges he nominated. He tried to intimidate the Georgia secretary of state to 'find votes' and overturn that state’s election."

The University of Florida, who will be hiring Sasse as president, announced today that Sasse emerged as the sole finalist among several applicants for the position. Officials with the university, in an attempt to ally any doubts, claimed the selection process was "exhaustive."

For the full article click HERE

DOUGLAS COUNTY ATTORNEY CANDIDATE'S AFFAIR, PROMOTION OF WOMAN LED TO HIS OUSTER FROM FIRM

OMAHA- Douglas County Attorney Candidate Dave Pantos, who is attempting to unseat current Attorney Don Kleine, has become embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that Pantos had an affair while working at one of Nebraska's largest non-profits: Legal Aid of Nebraska.

Pantos, who has very little trial and prosecutorial experience, has pointed to his time at Legal Aid as experience enough, and has been running on that message.

It was revealed this weekend that Pantos was ousted from Legal Aid in 2014 after promoting the woman with whom the candidate was having an affair. The woman was the wife of a lawyer working under Pantos at Legal Aid, and reportedly had little to no legal credentials.

When asked about the alleged affair and promotion, Dave Pantos was quick to deny it. "Who said that?" Pantos asked,

I don't know what you're talking about."

Later, Pantos sent an email to reporters acknolowding the affair, but claimed that the promotion happened before the extended affair took place.

Pantos stated, "This consensual situation was a lapse in professional judgment and I regret it. However, all parties have moved on since this happened over eight years ago. I want to specifically note that there were no improper hiring or promotion decisions made at the time. Any suggestions otherwise are patently false."

Attorneys from Legal Aid dispute these claims, stating that the woman did not have a law degree and that she assumed an "outsized" role in the firm, often appearing alongside then-director Pantos' side at agency leadership events.

For the full article click HERE

REP. DON BACON RECOVERING FROM EMERGENCY APPENDECTOMY

OMAHA- U.S. Rep. Don Bacon had an emergency appendectomy last week after being rushed to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

Bacon was released the following day, saying that he was "All good. An appendix can go north to south so quickly. I thought it was food poisoning. But as the day went on I realized it was more serious. I could hardly walk last night. Surgery worked magic!"

Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, went to Walter Reed after feeling pain in his abdomen during a meeting. Doctors at Walter Reed claimed his appendix was three times the normal size.

Bacon's office has not put out word on how long he will take to recover. However, they stated that they are working on plans to make sure the congressman can vote by proxy if needed.

Sen. Tony Vargas, against whom Bacon is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, offered Bacon "prayers for a speedy recovery, and stated that he was glad the surgery was successful.

For the full article click HERE

SPARKS FLY IN FINAL 1ST DISTRICT HOUSE DEBATE BETWEEN FLOOD, PANSING BROOKS

LINCOLN- Sen. Pansing Brooks and Rep. Mike Flood held a debate on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus to discuss the pressing issues they'll support in Congress. For Pansing Brooks, it's reproductive women's rights. For Flood, inflation and crime.

Sen. Pansing Brooks urged voters during the debate to trust her political consistency in supporting and upholding women's rights, citing the years of work she did in the Legislature.

Rep. Flood used his party's record on inflation and tax reduction to garner support during the debate, claiming that Pansing Brooks would do nothing to solve these problems. "Inflation, crime is increasing," said Flood, "Who do we have to thank for this mess? It's the Democrats."

Besides the issues above, the candidates for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District also debated birth control, gun control, and student debt forgiveness.

The candidates also traded ad hominem jabs, with Sen. Pansing Brooks warning the audience that she would be fact-checking everything Flood said with what she calls "Flood alerts," and Rep. Flood calling her at one point "Patty Pansing Pelosi."

However, the candidates did find some even ground during the debate, with both of them agreeing that the nation's southern border had to be secure. But that's where their agreement ended. Flood stated that former President Trump's border wall should be expanded and improved, while Pansing Brooks just thinks more law enforcement should be stationed on the border.

After this, the question of gay marriage came up, with Pansing Brooks pointing out the possibility that the Dobbs decision could be repealed by the Supreme Court. Flood argued against this, stating that Dobbs is not at risk, but Pansing Brooks responded by bringing up Flood's no-vote on codifying gay marriage in the House.

For the full article click HERE

24 LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES PLEDGE TO SEND SECRET VOTES FOR COMMITTEE CHAIRS

LINCOLN- Former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster and his PAC announced that they have had 24 legislative candidates pledge to end Nebraska's system for electing chairs of legislative committees.

That is 24 of 46 candidates who have pledged to end the secret ballot votes for committee chairs. This group is a mix of incumbents and challengers.

The pledges are the latest step in a two-decade conservative push to change legislative rules to require recorded votes on leadership.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, former Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Republican Party have pressed potential legislative appointees and candidates for years on their willingness to step away from the longtime practice of the officially nonpartisan body.

They have said that the change would add transparency for the voting public.

Those who have signed on include: Senator Rob Clements, Brad Von Gillern, Christian Mirch, Marilyn Asher, Lou Ann Goding, Merv Reipe, Senator John Arch, Senator Ben Hansen, Connie Peterson, Christy Armendariz, Russ Barger, Roy Christensen, Loren Lippincott, Rick Holdcroft, Senator Dave Murman, Tyler Cappel, Barry DeKay, Keith Kube, Senator Mike Jacobson, Chris Bruns, Theresea Ibach, Don Lease II, and Brian Hardin

For the full article click HERE

FIRST EARLY FALL BALLOTS BY MAIL GET SENT OUT THIS WEEK IN NEBRASKA

LINCOLN- Nebraskans who requested early mail ballots should be checking their mailbox this week, as early voting ballots were sent out on October 2nd.

For those looking to vote in person, county election offices are set to open early in-person voting as early as October 11th, next Tuesday.

However, early in-person voting will only be held at the Election Commission Office, located off of West Center Road in Omaha. Voting will be available there from 8:30am-5:00pm on weekdays until the election, and Saturday, October 29th and November 5th from 9am-1pm.

October 28th is the final day to register to vote in this election, and for those sending in voter registration forms by mail, they must be postmarked no later than October 21st.

For the full article click HERE

'MISLEADING AND DECEITFUL'- MAILER USES SUGGESTIVE PHOTOS TO ATTACK LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE; AND FORMER LINCOLN MAN DEPICTED IN PHOTOS SAYS HE'S BEEN DRAGGED INTO POLITICAL SMEAR

LINCOLN- A flyer that landed in northeast Lincoln mailboxes last week accusing a legislative candidate of trying to “radically transform” the state itself radically transformed the person it was attacking.

So much so that the mailer attacking George Dungan, who will square off against Russ Barger for the District 26 seat in November, features two black-and-white photos of shirtless men who are not Dungan.

The public defender who ran second in the primary said the mailer, which states it was paid for by Nebraska Federation for Children, was "misleading and deceitful" in several ways.

While it features a photo of the actual Dungan on one side, it also takes aim at Dungan for attending American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a law degree after graduating from the University of Kansas.

And it states he supports an environmental policy that would purportedly raise taxes and drive up energy costs, as well as prohibiting businesses from asking about criminal history when hiring.

“It is clear that they do not know my position on any issue, considering they do not even know who I am or what I look like,” Dungan said.

Barger, reached by phone, called the mailer “super tacky” and said he was not involved in its creation, nor did he give it his approval.

Dustin Rymph, the shirtless man depicted on one side of the mailer, was shocked to discover himself on the mailer. Rymph, a former Lincoln resident, is an old friend of Dungan's. "My reaction was," said Rymph, "That's not George, that's me."

The mailer was paid for by Nebraska Federation for Children, a Nebraska affiliate of the larger American Federation for Children founded by former education secretary Betsy DeVos. 

Lauren Garcia, Nebraska state director for American Federation for Children, responded to the incident by claiming the photos, which were pulled from Dungan's personal account, appeared "without indication that it was someone else."

"It is reasonable to conclude the photos posted by Mr. Dungan are of himself," Garcia went on to say.

Rymph confirmed that the photos of him were in no way inappropriate, and were instead taken in front of the Nebraska plaque on the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. "It was over 100 degress out," stated Rymph.

The second photo, which depicts Rymph sitting upon a toy horse, was meant to be a "goofy photo."

"Everybody has goofy photos," stated Rymph, "that they took when they were in their early 20's."

For the full article click HERE

LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS TO DETERMINE FATE OF ABORTION BILLS

LINCOLN- This year’s elections for the Nebraska Legislature could determine what changes – if any – will be made next year to laws governing abortion in Nebraska.

State Senator Rob Clements said, "There will be an abortion restriction bill coming. It’s being worked on – we haven’t got something final. The letter that went to the governor asking for a special session was a 12-week ban. And I would expect something like that, or maybe more restrictive. It really depends on who gets elected in November – how conservative and how many pro-life senators are elected.”

At a rally of abortion rights supporters in Omaha, legislative candidate John Frederickson made a similar point.

“We are at such a pivotal point in our state. The outcome of our elections this November are going to have significant impact on what Nebraska looks like in five years, in ten years and fifteen years. And you better believe that reproductive freedom is on the ballot,” Frederickson said.

Twenty five seats in the 49-member Legislature are up for grabs in November. And about half those races, all in the Lincoln and Omaha areas, pit abortion opponents against abortion rights supporters, judging by endorsements and public statements of the candidates.

After voters have their say, and the new lineup of senators is in place, strategists on both sides of the issue will determine how to proceed.

For the full article click HERE

ACLU OF NEBRASKA: SCHOOL DRESS CODES FAILING CHILDREN

OMAHA- On Wednesday, the ACLU of Nebraska issued a 'report card' evaluating the dress code of 15 Nebraska school districts, and the grades weren't good. 

The ACLU evaluated district-wide, grade-level, and individual school policies on dress code by looking at several school districts in Omaha, Lincoln, Millard, Papillion La Vista, and many more strewn throughout Nebraska. 

Rated on 5 categories, the schools were given a total of three 'D's' and two 'F's'. 

The ACLU of Nebraska said in a statement that the reason for these bad grades was because the dress codes were found to be "rooted in stereotypes," aimed more intentionally at girls, and "often enforced disproportionately against Black girls and other students of color."

"Gendered language in dress codes," they continued, "and unequal enforcement subject girls discipline, humiliation, and anxiety."

Some of the dress code policies that were evaluated were also found to be quite vague in both clarity and the way violations were handled. The ACLU used an example that claimed students in violation of dress code policy could be subject to expulsion, but contained vague language allowing for a very subjective interpretation. 

The ACLU also said in their report that strict or gendered dress codes could "damage [student's] sense of belonging in school" and that "gendered dress codes also invite biased enforcement against nonbinary, transgender, and gender-nonconforming students."

For the full article click HERE

OFFUTT PLANES TO RETURN AS $170 MILLION RUNWAY REBUILD WRAPS UP

BELLEVUE- After an 18-month hiatus at the Lincoln Airport, planes will return to Offut Air Force Base. 

They will land on a brand-new runway, fully reconstructed for the first time since the airfield was built in 1941.

It brings to a close an 18-month construction project that was years in the making, executed at a cost of $200 million to the Air Force: $169 million for the new runway and apron and $31 million for the temporary facilities at Lincoln.

That’s within budget and on time, said Rob Hufford, chief of construction management for the project.

“This has been a large part of my professional life for the last four years,” Hufford said. “It’s nice to see it coming to an end.”

At 150 feet wide, the new concrete runway is the same width as the old one. But the 25-foot shoulders on either side are a third as wide as before, consistent with modern safety standards. This change will help with snow removal in the winter.

The new surface is 19 inches thick, a combination of concrete and asphalt he said will be easier to maintain than the old one.

For years, the old surface had been crumbling. Offutt airmen had to be especially watchful for loose chunks of asphalt and other debris, which are dangerous if ingested into a jet engine.

For the full article click HERE

LONG-DELAYED NIOCORP MINE ANNOUNCES DEALS THAT COULD BRING MORE INVESTMENT

LINCOLN- A long-delayed mining project in southeast Nebraska announced that it was entering into agreements that could lead to an additional $366 million of investment in its $1.1 billion project. 

NioCorp has raised about $80 million toward opening of its proposed “critical minerals” mine, a company spokesman said. The mine would be located near Elk Creek, a farm town south of Tecumseh and about 80 miles south of Omaha. 

Recently the Colorado-based company announced that it is planning to acquire GX Acquisition Corp. and intends that the merged firm will be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange after the acquisition closes, which is expected in the first quarter of 2023. 

The acquisition, according to NioCorp, “could” result in access to an additional $285 million toward NioCorp’s Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, depending on the redemption rate of current GXII stockholders.

NioCorp also announced letters of intent with Yorkville Advisors Global on two loans to realize an additional $81 million for the project.

In a press release, NioCorp CEO and Executive Chairman Mark A. Smith said the combination of developments on Monday “have the potential to significantly accelerate our efforts” to make the Elk Creek project a reality. 

For the full article click HERE

STATE MAKING PROGRESS IN HIRING CHILD WELFARE WORKERS BUT STILL HAS 49 VACANCIES AND CASELOAD CHALLENGES

LINCOLN- Wage increases have helped Nebraska retain child welfare workers, and around 105 new employees have been hired this year, but a multitude of vacancies are still hurting the state.

The state recently took over case management from Saint Francis Ministries, but only around 40% of Omaha caseworkers have caseloads that comply with statutory requirements. 

Gov. Ricketts stated that noncompliance with caseload requirements is what prompted Nebraska to cut ties with Saint Francis Ministries. 

St. Francis was awarded a five-year contract with the state in 2019, and despite being given an additional $110 million in emergency state funds, still failed to meet the requirements expected of them by Nebraska.

Both Gov. Ricketts and Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh urged Attorney General Doug Peterson and his office to investigate whether the state was a victim of fraud by Saint Francis.

Stephanie Beasley, director of children and family services for DHHS, stated that the 105 new employees are in various stages of the required 14-week training, but that once they pass, it will help alleviate caseload noncompliance. 

Since 2019, child welfare cases in Nebraska have increased by about 29%, which has made it a real challenge for the state to keep up.

For the full article click HERE

PLUG PULLED ON MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR "INTERSECTIONS" PROJECT FOR SOUTH OMAHA

OMAHA- A spokesperson for Community Health Development Partners, who were on track to transform a 25-acre tract of industrial land into a new wellness and sports complex, stated that the project has been scrapped.

"We swung for the fences with this one and it didn't work out," said Attorney David Lutz, who held a managing partner position with the company.

The project's estimated cost was around $100 million, but as that number tripled, Community Health Development Partners just couldn't cover it. Most of the increased cost came from site preparation. The land on which the complex was to be built was reported quite unruly, and would require more time and more funds to tame.

Community Health Development Partners planned on demolishing nearly 20 houses and lots that were bought up prior to the attempted development, but nearly all of them are still standing. 

Lutz stated that the team was working with certain groups to decide what to do with the dilapidated houses, and may work to restore them so people can move back in. "The neighborhood will be left in as good, probably better, shape than when we got there," confirmed Lutz, "We always had good intentions."

Jenny Synowiecki, who grew up around where the project was to be built, is concerned about the timeline to resell the houses, and hopes Community Health will keep the rest of the neighborhood "in the loop." 

City Councilman Vinny Palermo of South Omaha stated that he's been monitoring the neighborhood, and recently walked around the area with Synowiecki. 

For the full article click HERE

$9 MILLION FEDERAL AWARD TO UNMC CENTER TO BEEF UP AGRICULTURE SAFETY AND HEALTH

OMAHA- A $9 million award was granted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center to help support regional efforts like safety training for bison workers and the study of dust-induced lung injury, among others. The funds will go to the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, located in UNMC's College of Public Health.

The Center, which is located in Omaha, extends its outreach into surrounding regional states like Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and South and North Dakota. 

The new award will help continue existing ag safety research and training, and will likely be used to launch new initiatives focused on farmer health. They will also help strengthen outreach related to mental health, safe grain handling, and animal handling.

A statement from UNMC stated that one of the most important areas they want to focus on is stress among immigrant farm workers, which they see as a seriously underdeveloped area of study. 

The Central States Center is one of eleven regional centers awarded federal funds, all of which work in their respective region to improve the health of farmers.

Risto Rautiainen, director of the Central States Center, stated, "The center can use these funds to continue to serve the agricultural community by discovering causes of injury and illnesses and communicating information about prevention in ways that reach as many farmers and agricultural workers as possible."

For the full article click HERE

WARHORSE: FIRST CASINO IN NEBRASKA DRAWS HUNDREDS ON OPENING DAY

LINCOLN- WarHorse casino made Nebraska history, becoming the first casino to open within the state. Hundreds of people lined up Saturday, opening day, to test their luck on new slot machines and gambling games. 

Courtney Williams, a resident of Omaha, made the drive to Lincoln just in time for opening day. She said, "I didn't think it was going to be like this soon. I thought it'd be like, what, a year from now."

Wally Wollsen, president of Nebraska HBPA, was ecstatic and even a little emotional on opening day. "It's very emotional," said Wollsen, "We waited a long time for this."

Wollsen stated that, with the casino up and running, his team will turn their attention to bringing horse racing back to Nebraska. "The machines are going to support horse racing," he said, "and my goal is to improve horse racing, build larger purchases for our horsemen. Keep our horsemen here at home."

Ken Mallory, tribal leader of the Winnebago Tribe, stated that the casino will help support the regrowth of the Tribe. Mallory believes the casino is a dream come true for his Tribe, and believes the money will help them provide to the Tribe "better health care, better water facilities, better homestyle living, and just everything that is part of the prosperity of being an American."

Mallory claims the support from the casino goes beyond just dollars, and truly believes that the casino will help everyone in the community prosper.

For the full article click HERE

RALSTON SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TO RETIRE

RALSTON- Ralston Public Schools superintendent Dr. Mark Adler announced Monday his intention to retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The Ralston Public School Board will review Dr. Adler's resignation on Monday night.

In his resignation letter, Dr. Adler praised board members, students, and staff for putting so much trust in him to lead RPS. "I took my responsibilities seriously and am always proud to say I am from Ralston," wrote Dr. Adler, "My service to the students, staff, and community of Ralston Public Schools wasn't a job but a passion that provided me with purpose."

Dr. Adler has been working with Ralston Public Schools since 2008, and has been employed in public education for 32 years. 

His final day as superintendent at Ralston Public Schools will be June 30th, 2023.

For the full article click HERE

EXPANDED MEDICAID LEAVES FEWER NEBRASKANS WITHOUT HEALTH COVERAGE

LINCOLN- Emerging data indicates that the number of state residents without health coverage has plummeted since Nebraska expanded Medicaid two years ago. Hospitals are also reportedly feeling less stress and fewer citizens of the state are filing for bankruptcy.

Sen. Adam Morfeld claims that these positive results are exactly what advocates of the expansion predicted would happen during the six years of failed efforts in the Legislature to do so. Morfeld stated, "The data only affirms what we promised Nebraskans: that our family members, neighbors, and friends would be more healthy, financially secure, and lead longer and happier lives."

Morfeld led the petition drive to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot in 2018 after Gov. Ricketts repeatedly blocked it in the Legislature. After the ballot measure passed, it took Rickett's administration almost two years to implement the changes, with coverage beginning on Oct. 1, 2020. 

Sarah Maresh, health care access program director at Nebraska Appleseed, shared a similar sentiment with Morfeld. Nebraska Appleseed was a key advocate for the expansion of Medicaid, and believed that Nebraska would see similar results to states that previously expanded it. "We're just really excited to see this come to fruition," Maresh stated, "The health of our state depends on the health of individuals." 

Gov. Ricketts did not respond to questions about whether Medicaid expansion has benefited Nebraskans, but his staff stated that "Gov. Ricketts' team at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has worked hard to effectively roll out Medicaid expansion to Nebraska, per the will of the people."

Medicaid expansion was a decade in the making before it fully rolled out, being seen by some as highly contentious and partisan. A U.S. Supreme Court case made Medicaid expansion voluntary for states, sparking years of struggle in Nebraska and other states.

Through the new expansion program, Medicaid was extended to cover single adults and couples with minor children, two demographics that previously were unable to apply no matter their yearly income.

For the full article click HERE

PRISON SYSTEM TOUTS DROP IN STAFF TURNOVER, WHILE LACK OF MEDICAL WORKERS REMAINS A CONCERN

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Department of Corrections, which has struggled for years with high turnover, projects that the turnover rate among guards will be cut in half. 

On Tuesday, Director of Corrections Scott Frakes stated that turnover rates are expected to fall to 18% by the end of the year, the lowest it's been in almost a decade.

Turnover in 2018 went as high as 34%, but improved mid-contract pay raises, which were introduced last November, have helped lower that number.

The agency has also begun offering hiring bonuses for security staff, nurses, and food service workers, some going as high as $15,000.

"We are encouraged by the continued interest from those who are relocating from other states," said Frakes, "Our training classes continue to include high numbers of individuals with prior law enforcement, corrections, and military backgrounds, which suits our needs very well."

However, a report from the Inspector General for Corrections Office indicated that overtime costs are still very high at Tecumseh State Prison and the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Last year, the Department of Corrections paid over $22 million in overtime to their overworked employees.

Another concern the Department is facing is a lack of medical staff in Nebraska prisons, including nurses and dentists. In June, almost 40% of health service jobs were vacant.

For the full article click HERE

NEBRASKA'S WORK ETHIC, EDUCATED WORKFORCE MAY HELP WEATHER POSSIBLE RECESSION, ECONOMIST SAYS

LINCOLN- According to a leading state economist Eric Thompson, Nebraska has weathered past recessions better than any state in the country, and may just do it again. 

Thompson, who is the director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, stated that Nebraska's high rates of workforce participation and education could help the state fend off some of the worst effects of high inflation and economic downturn.

However, depending on the severity of the recession, Thompson isn't optimistic, "If the U.S. gets into a significant recession, we'll get pulled in, too," he said.

Thompson praised Nebraska workers for having "good resumes," and also lauded Nebraska's high workforce numbers and our higher-than-national-average population of college-educated workers. "Those are the kinds of people who are most likely to hold onto their jobs during a downturn and find new jobs quickly," Thompson said.

Certain analysts predict that the U.S. will have a "soft landing" from high inflation that won't result in high inflation that leaves many jobless.

Thompson stated that working-class and low-income Nebraskans are hurting the most from high inflation. He believes tax cuts may be able to help those in these situations, and that systematic changes must be done to our state tax system. 

Thompson also believes that immigration may be another way for Nebraska to weather the potential recession. "Maybe we can be known as the state that's most welcoming to immigrants," he said.

For the full article click HERE

PAST ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST PETERSON WAS DISMISSED AFTER LEGAL REVIEW

LINCOLN- An ethics complaint against Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, which alleged that his challenging of the 2020 presidential election was "purely political," was thrown out after a legal review determined that this wasn't the case.

Former State Sen. Ernie Chambers filed the complaint two years ago, claiming that Peterson had violated the legal code of conduct by participating in a "frivolous" lawsuit put forward by Texan government officials.

Kent Frobish, the assistant council for discipline, said that Peterson's participation in the lawsuit was "not devoid of legal propositions supported by case law and argument. Your primary allegation is that Mr. Peterson acted out of a purely political motive and because you disagree with his motive, you believe that equals unethical conduct."

Frobish claimed that almost 40 other grievances have been filed against Peterson, and have all been rejected. "This is not a popularity contest," he said, "Even if 99% of the citizens of Nebraska disagreed with Mr. Peterson's position, it would not prove a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct."

The discipline office does not usually confirm or deny whether a complaint has been filed against an attorney unless they wish to, and often does not release the ruling unless disciplinary charges are put forth.

For the full article click HERE