The Lincoln Police Department is investigating an emergency contract the state awarded to a lobbyist last year at the recommendation of Gov. Jim Pillen.
LPD Sgt. Chris Vollmer confirmed Tuesday with KLIN media partner 10/11 NOW that the department has been assigned the investigation after concerns were raised about a potential conflict of interest if the Nebraska State Patrol handled the case. The department will report its findings to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
The matter first surfaced in January when Mike Foley released an audit questioning why standard procedures were not followed in awarding the contract and whether the “emergency” designation used to expedite it was justified.
In February, the Nebraska Examiner reported Foley had referred two audit findings to the attorney general’s office and the state patrol for possible investigation or prosecution.
According to the audit, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development awarded a one-year, $2.5 million contract to Global Sustainability Developers to promote the state’s bioeconomy industry.
Foley’s report said the contractor ultimately fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.