
Nebraska no-bid bioeconomy deal prompts audit referrals to AG and State Patrol
Nebraska's emergency $2.5 million no-bid bioeconomy contract, approved with input from the Governor's Office, is under scrutiny after State Auditor Foley referred two findings to the AG and State Patrol: a missing emergency justification for bypassing bids, and allegations that state officials attempted to deceive the Auditor’s Office about a deadline. AG Hilgers confirmed receipt of the referrals; Pillen's office defended the timing as allowed by a 2024 budget bill.