Nebraska AG: No criminal charges for former lawmaker Mike Groene

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — After reviewing an investigation from the Nebraska State Patrol, the Nebraska Legal professional Common’s workplace mentioned Thursday, that former State Senator Mike Groene won’t be prosecuted for taking footage with out his employees member’s information.

The AG mentioned in an announcement “there’s inadequate data to warrant a felony prosecution.”

In February, it was found that Groene, a two-term lawmaker from North Platte, took footage of a feminine employees member after which emailed them to himself.

These footage had been found by the girl, Kristina Konecko, whereas doing upkeep on her boss’s laptop computer.

Whereas a legislative investigator described the habits as “boorish, brainless and weird, particularly for the office,” the actions weren’t deemed felony in her report this spring.

That aligns with the investigation accomplished by the state.

Nonetheless, Groene is not a state lawmaker, the one solace State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh is taking.

“That’s the solely purpose there’s consequence that, within the second, there was sufficient public strain that he resigned,” mentioned Cavanaugh.

She is upset with the AG’s conclusion saying the sufferer was violated and desires recourse. Cavanaugh says she’ll be taking a look at altering office harassment legal guidelines if re-elected within the fall.

“We nonetheless have a sufferer who’s been violated and when you’ve a sufferer who’s been violated and say to them that there’s no crime, that, to me means there must be a decision on what the legislation is and the actions,” mentioned Cavanaugh.

Others like Jannette Taylor, President and CEO of the Ladies’s Heart for Development says not charging Groene minimizes his actions and dismisses the sufferer. She can be hoping legal guidelines in Nebraska change after this.

“For those who’re a subordinate and someone takes an image of you or they contact you in an inappropriate method, you’re considering twice earlier than you say one thing, you don’t need to lose your job or threat your livelihood. So there does should be extra protections for folks,” mentioned Taylor.

3 Information Now referred to as Konecko for touch upon Thursday. She was unaware of the Legal professional Common’s opinion and didn’t need to remark till she knew extra.

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