Nebraska State Senator Dan McKeon entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge stemming from a groping incident earlier this year.
The registered Republican lawmaker from Amherst had tried to file a no-contest plea using a waiver without appearing in court last week, which the judge said was not allowed. His court date was rescheduled for Dec. 17.
McKeon is accused of “making inappropriate contact with [a legislative staffer’s] buttocks with his hand, over the top of her clothing” at a post-session party on May 29 at the Lincoln Country Club. Following the initial investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, McKeon was cited for public indecency. Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon downgraded the charge last week to misdemeanor public indecency, the day before his scheduled hearing.
Having changed his plea, McKeon now plans to fight the allegation against him. A no-contest plea would have waived McKeon’s right to a trial, avoiding an admission of guilt while accepting any criminal penalties.
McKeon has declined calls to resign from follow lawmakers and Governor Jim Pillen and maintains his innocence. McKeon’s next court date is set for January 26. He is also facing a possible expulsion vote in the Nebraska Legislature after the Executive Board unanimously recommended his removal.