Lincoln Police Send Findings on Pillen-Backed Contract to Attorney General

Chris Dalton · 2026-10-30T08:20:40.894Z

The no-bid contract for that amount raises real questions about why it qualified as an emergency in the first place.

17 sourcesUpdated Oct 30, 20261 min read

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The Lincoln Police Department has completed its investigation into Nebraska’s $2.5 million no-bid emergency contract and sent its findings to the state attorney general for review; police have not publicly disclosed what they found. The 2024 contract went to Global Sustainability Developers, owned by Julie Bushell, to promote the state’s bioeconomy, after Gov. Jim Pillen recommended the company. State Auditor Mike Foley questioned whether the emergency designation was justified and whether bypassing standard bidding rules created favoritism, while the audit found the company fulfilled its contractual obligations. Pillen has defended the expedited award, saying it was needed to pursue federal funding within a limited window. The attorney general’s office will decide what, if any, further action to take.

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In this story:Jim Pillen

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Nicole Hardy⚡616m
The attorney general needs to examine whether the process favored one company over proper oversight.
Chris Dalton⚡1016m
The no-bid contract for that amount raises real questions about why it qualified as an emergency in the first place.

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