Bruning on Possibly Secret MECA Meetings: “We’re Looking at It.”
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From an investigation of one of the most powerful public boards in the state to a key political decision, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning is in no hurry to act.
Bruning, who is running for reelection this year, tells Nebraska Watchdog that when it comes to the 2012 Senate race, he may not get a chance to run.
In 2007 Bruning launched a run for the Senate, hoping to take on fellow Republican Senator Chuck Hagel in the primary. But when Hagel decided not to run for reelection, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Republican Governor Mike Johanns got in the race. With Johanns in, both Bruning and former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub dropped out of the Senate race which Johanns won.
On another key subject one of Bruning’s top political fundraisers is in the middle of an investigation that Bruning’s office began several months ago.
In September Nebraska Watchdog reported exclusively that the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA), had been criticized by Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle for possible violations of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.
Following Nebraska Watchdog’s investigation Common Cause Nebraska filed a written complaint with the Attorney General’s office against MECA, which has five members including Omaha businessman David Sokol.
Sokol has contributed several thousand dollars to Bruning’s campaigns and during Bruning’s brief Senate run in 2007, Sokol was Bruning’s campaign finance director.
Bruning tells Nebraska Watchdog the case is being reviewed but says his office has other priorities including legal opinions for state lawmakers during the current legislative session.
Editor’s note: to see Nebraska Watchdog’s exclusive investigation of MECA click here.
Editor’s note: to subscribe free of charge to News Updates from Nebraska Watchdog click here.
Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org
Posted under News, State Politics, Video.
Tags: Chuck Hagel, Common Cause, David Sokol, Hal Daub, Jim Suttle, Joe Jordan, Jon Bruning, MECA, Mike Johanns, Nebraska, Open Meetings Act, Watchdog
11:38 am on January 27th, 2010
I truly believe MECA is not above board with all of its dealings. I feel that MECA is hiding money from the city of Omaha. One example would be when they paid bonuses in their first years of operation when they were still being heavily subsidized by the city. The MECA board should be elected by the people of Omaha, not political appointees. I know that Fahey refinanced the bonds and that has caused problems. Why doesnt MECA post its earnings statements for all of Omaha’s citizens to see so the people can see where the money is for the properties that the city still owns. So far MECA seems like a flop.
1:27 pm on January 27th, 2010
Dave Heineman will be the next Senator from Nebraska. Ben and the rest of the field may as well forget about it.
10:14 am on January 29th, 2010
Just how long does it take to do the analysis? the longer it takes, the more we question how much dirt is there. Brunning, get on with the investigation, or maybe just drop out of running for reelection, it seems to be distracting you from doing your paid job.