LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen said former Nebraska Liquor Control Commission Director Hobert Rupe "quietly pushed" a rule change that would have lifted a ban on touching employees in establishments with liquor licenses.

As the governor put it: "The commission has proposed I approve a rule change that would effectively provide government permission for customers to touch the dancers at a strip club."

No shot, Pillen said.

Rupe, who was suspended from his job as director in May and resigned in June, is facing federal corruption charges stemming from alleged actions at two Lincoln strip clubs. Authorities accused him of accepting exotic dances, alcoholic drinks and cash in exchange for tipping off the owner of The Office Gentleman’s Club and The Night Before Lounge about criminal investigation

See Full Page