Key events in David Hergert impeachment case
Key events in the impeachment case of University of Nebraska Regent David Hergert:
November 2004 — David Hergert, an agribusinessman from Mitchell, defeats 18-year incumbent University of Nebraska Regent Don Blank of McCook to represent western Nebraska. Lincoln Sen. Chris Beutler and Common Cause Nebraska spokesman Jack Gould file complaints with the Accountability and Disclosure Commission alleging campaign finance violations.
Jan. 6, 2005 — Hergert takes office on the Board of Regents.
April 29, 2005 — Hergert admits to the commission that he broke state campaign finance law and agrees to pay a $33,512 settlement.
June 2 — Legislature votes 31-0 calling on Hergert to resign within 60 days or face possible impeachment proceedings.
June 8 — Hergert refuses to resign.
June 30 — Investigation into Hergert launched by Attorney General Jon Bruning. A subsequent request for a grand jury is rejected on the grounds that Hergert’s agreement reached with the state grants him immunity from criminal prosecution.
March 20 — Bruning, in announcing his office will no longer pursue the Hergert case, releases the State Patrol investigation file.
March 24 — Special legislative committee votes to recommend impeachment of Hergert, going against advice of attorney it had hired to investigate the case.
April 12 — Legislature votes 25-22 to impeach Hergert. Hergert is immediately suspended from office.
May 8 — Impeachment trial begins before the Nebraska Supreme Court.
May 15 — Impeachment trial ends after five days of testimony.
July 7 — Supreme Court convicts Hergert and removes him from office.
November 2004 — David Hergert, an agribusinessman from Mitchell, defeats 18-year incumbent University of Nebraska Regent Don Blank of McCook to represent western Nebraska. Lincoln Sen. Chris Beutler and Common Cause Nebraska spokesman Jack Gould file complaints with the Accountability and Disclosure Commission alleging campaign finance violations.
Jan. 6, 2005 — Hergert takes office on the Board of Regents.
April 29, 2005 — Hergert admits to the commission that he broke state campaign finance law and agrees to pay a $33,512 settlement.
June 2 — Legislature votes 31-0 calling on Hergert to resign within 60 days or face possible impeachment proceedings.
June 8 — Hergert refuses to resign.
June 30 — Investigation into Hergert launched by Attorney General Jon Bruning. A subsequent request for a grand jury is rejected on the grounds that Hergert’s agreement reached with the state grants him immunity from criminal prosecution.
March 20 — Bruning, in announcing his office will no longer pursue the Hergert case, releases the State Patrol investigation file.
March 24 — Special legislative committee votes to recommend impeachment of Hergert, going against advice of attorney it had hired to investigate the case.
April 12 — Legislature votes 25-22 to impeach Hergert. Hergert is immediately suspended from office.
May 8 — Impeachment trial begins before the Nebraska Supreme Court.
May 15 — Impeachment trial ends after five days of testimony.
July 7 — Supreme Court convicts Hergert and removes him from office.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.