Senator Dan McKeon, (Nebraska Legislature, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — In a shift, a Nebraska state senator has pleaded not guilty to a disturbing the peace charge after trying to submit a written motion to plead no contest.
Nebraska State Senator Dan McKeon, District 41, has been charged with disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, related to allegations of his actions at a party following the end of the legislative session in the spring.
McKeon is accused of grabbing a woman’s buttocks over her clothes and making inappropriate sexual jokes.
McKeon had filed a written motion to waive his appearance and plead no contest, but the Lancaster County Court judge ruled he must enter the plea in person.
The new court date had been set for Dec. 17.
However, McKeon’s legal counsel submitted a written plea of not guilty on Dec. 16. A new hearing in the case has been set for Jan. 26, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Recently, the Executive Board of the Nebraska Legislature voted 8-0 to recommend expelling McKeon from his position.
“After reviewing the circumstances, the Executive Board concluded that the decision was necessary in light of a demonstrated pattern of behavior by Senator McKeon,” the executive board stated in a press release, “The recommendation does not constitute a final action and additional proceedings will follow in accordance with legislative rules and procedures.”
