Expulsion recommended for state senator accused of groping staffer

The Nebraska Legislature’s Executive Board voted Saturday to recommend expelling Sen. Dan McKeon, who has been accused of groping a staff member at an end-of-the-year party in May.

After meeting behind closed doors for an hour and a half, the board opened its meeting but had no discussion before voting 8-0 to recommend expulsion.

Senators declined comment afterward, but Sen. Ben Hansen, who chairs the board, later issued a statement saying the decision was necessary in light of a “demonstrated pattern of behavior by Senator McKeon.”

McKeon, who represents District 41 in central Nebraska, pleaded no contest earlier this week to a charge of disturbing the peace, but he did not appear for a court date, and a Lancaster County judge ordered him to appear Wednesday.

He had originally been charged with public indecency for the incident that happened at the Lincoln Country Club. The staffer, who has not been named, alleged McKeon touched her buttocks after making a lewd joke. McKeon has admitted to making an off-color joke but said he touched the staffer on her back. He later apologized in a letter.

Gov. Jim Pillen has called for McKeon to resign, something the senator has said he does not plan to do.

McKeon could not immediately be reached for comment. It would require a two-thirds vote of all members to expel him, after the Legislature reconvenes Jan. 7. If he is expelled, it would apparently be the first time the Legislature has taken such an action.