Regional Industry & News

Lincoln police investigators determined Gov. Jim Pillen's office was "not implicated in any criminal wrongdoing" in a $2.5 million no-bid contract , the Nebraska Attorney General's office said.

State Auditor Mike Foley believes the no-bid contract for emergency economic development was against Nebraska law. The Nebraska State Patrol requested Lincoln police investigate the contract, which was granted by Pillen's office, in February 2026.

Previous coverage: Lincoln police finish investigation into $2.5 million no-bid contract

"Given the potential statewide and multi-jurisdictional issues, it was determined at the outset that the Attorney General's office would review the investigation and handle any resulting prosecutions, subject to an assessment of any conflict of interest," the Attorney General's office said in a statement.

Lincoln police finished their investigation and briefed Attorney General Mike Hilgers' office on Wednesday, officials said. The Attorney General's office said there is no conflict of interest preventing them from reviewing the investigation.

The Attorney General's office said it will evaluate the evidence, following "the law and the highest ethical standards."

"Given the substantial public interest and the submission of the investigation file shortly before an election, we believe it is important to explain the status of this matter and our role," the Attorney General's office said in a statement.

In a statement, Pillen said the investigation was "political from the start."

"I'm glad it's behind us so we can focus on the issues that matter most to Nebraskans," Pillen said.

In a statement, Democratic nominee Lynne Walz criticized her opponent in the governor's race and called for the full investigative file to be released.

"Today, Nebraskans just received a summary. If Jim Pillen has been cleared, the Attorney General has every reason to release the full investigative file: every record, every email, and every interview, before Nebraskans vote on Tuesday. If he won't, it's because there's something in there that Jim Pillen and his friends don't want you to see," Walz said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Pillen's office said his office did follow the law, especially when the Nebraska Legislature sets quick deadlines.

READ MORE: Nebraska state auditor finds 'favoritism' in no-bid contract leads straight to Gov. Pillen

Foley said the contract went to Julie Bushell, who owns a one-woman company called Global Sustainability Developers LLC. He also said she is a "friend of sorts of the governor."

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