Gov. Pillen issues investigation request against Sen. Cavanaugh

LINCOLN, Neb. - Following the resignation by one state senator surrounding a criminal investigation, another may soon be in a similar situation.

Governor Jim Pillen is asking the Nebraska State Patrol to refer a criminal investigation to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Pillen claims the surveillance footage of Senator Machaela Cavanaugh taking pictures off the wall at the state capitol should be considered a criminal act, and says if a private citizen had done the same, there would be consequences for the conduct.

Cavanaugh said she removed the frames from the halls because pictures are not allowed in this hallway of the capitol. She apologized to lawmakers on Friday.

Speaker John Arch said the organization had received permission from the capitol commission.
Pillen states any punishment she should face as a senator comes at the behest of the legislature.