Nebraska state auditor testifies in support of bill that makes new requirements for emergency contracts

The bill would require the state auditor to be notified of all emergency contracts. Foley accused Pillen of favoritism in a $2.5 million no-bid contract last month.

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Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley called for accountability from the Governor’s Office while testifying in a Government Affairs committee meeting Thursday, in response to his concerns over favoritism in a $2.5 million no-bid contract that Pillen handed off.MORE COVERAGE: ‘The cover-up is worse than the crime’: State auditor raises questions over no-bid contractLB997 would add requirements for emergency contracts to notify the State Auditor’s office. Sen. Bob Andersen introduced the bill to promote transparency within the Capitol.”It is not only open and fair competition, but is designed to ensure the best product for the best price. It is the obligation of the government officials to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. Sidestepping that process erodes public trust,” Andersen said.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Nebraska state senators mull oversight hearing for no-bid contract pushed by Gov. Jim PillenFoley raised concerns with the committee about the oversight of the contract pushed by Pillen’s office. He said there was not a pressing need for an emergency contract, and that the Governor’s Office tried to cover up the mistake by backdating the document.”It was not filed on time. It was filed a number of days later, and we noticed there was some backdating to make it appear that this document had been prepared ahead of a deadline and filed by the deadline,” Foley said.KETV asked the Governor’s Office for comment on the reason for the emergency contract. “There was not sufficient time to undergo a normal procurement process, based on legislative requirements necessitated in the contract — hence the need for the emergency contract,” a spokesperson with the Governor’s Office said.READ MORE: Nebraska state auditor finds ‘favoritism’ in no-bid contract leads straight to Gov. PillenFoley said he reported the audit to Nebraska State Patrol, the Attorney General, and the Nebraska Bar Association.”It’s criminal statute. You cannot deceive the state auditor and it’s a misdemeanor, but it’s still a criminal statute. And I hope that statute will be enforced in this instance,” Foley said.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

LINCOLN, Neb. —

MORE COVERAGE: ‘The cover-up is worse than the crime’: State auditor raises questions over no-bid contract

LB997 would add requirements for emergency contracts to notify the State Auditor’s office. Sen. Bob Andersen introduced the bill to promote transparency within the Capitol.

“It is not only open and fair competition, but is designed to ensure the best product for the best price. It is the obligation of the government officials to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. Sidestepping that process erodes public trust,” Andersen said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Nebraska state senators mull oversight hearing for no-bid contract pushed by Gov. Jim Pillen

Foley raised concerns with the committee about the oversight of the contract pushed by Pillen’s office. He said there was not a pressing need for an emergency contract, and that the Governor’s Office tried to cover up the mistake by backdating the document.

“It was not filed on time. It was filed a number of days later, and we noticed there was some backdating to make it appear that this document had been prepared ahead of a deadline and filed by the deadline,” Foley said.

KETV asked the Governor’s Office for comment on the reason for the emergency contract.

“There was not sufficient time to undergo a normal procurement process, based on legislative requirements necessitated in the contract — hence the need for the emergency contract,” a spokesperson with the Governor’s Office said.

Foley said he reported the audit to Nebraska State Patrol, the Attorney General, and the Nebraska Bar Association.

“It’s criminal statute. You cannot deceive the state auditor and it’s a misdemeanor, but it’s still a criminal statute. And I hope that statute will be enforced in this instance,” Foley said.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.