Former Senator Dan McKeon, District 41, (Nebraska Legislature, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — Former District 41 State Senator Dan McKeon, who resigned from his position earlier this month prior to an expulsion vote, asked the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office to investigate a no bid contract over $2million that was awarded to an associated of Governor Jim Pillen.
Nebraska Auditor, Mike Foley, had raised concerns regarding a contract that was awarded without a bid to Global Sustainability Developers LLC, a company owned by Julie Bushell, who is known to have travelled on economic development trips with Gov. Pillen.
“The contract, which was for Bushell to try to bring more bioeconomy businesses to the state, had been designated as an “emergency,” which is why it did not go through a public bidding process,” according to a report by Nebraska Public Media.
Foley said earlier this month that designation was “unsupportable” and smacked of “favoritism.”
McKeon believes the concerns raised by Foley warrant an independent review by the Attorney General.
“This request is about transparency, accountability and maintaining public confidence in how taxpayer dollars are spent,” McKeon said in his statement, “When the State Auditor raises concerns involving the Governor’s office and millions of dollars, the public deserves a thorough and independent review.”
McKeon’s statement was released only a few weeks after he resigned from his position after it seemed the Nebraska Legislature was on the verge of expelling him.
According to an investigative report, the Amherst lawmaker allegedly made lewd comments and touched the backside of a legislative staffer on May 29, 2025, at the Country Club of Lincoln.
He would later cited for public indecency and faces a bench trial on March 19.
Gov. Pillen had called for McKeon’s resignation soon after the news of the citation broke among Nebraska media.
McKeon’s attorney had released a statement in November which stated, “Respectfully, the escalation of this into persons calling for resignation of my seat, of which the Governor would make a political appointment against the will of the voters in my district, is unfair and frankly inappropriate in light of the facts.”
McKeon’s request notes that if any federal grant funds were involved, coordination with federal authorities may be warranted.
His later asks the Attorney General to assess if a further investigation is warranted and to take appropriate steps that will protect Nebraska taxpayers.
