State auditor responds to reports of long lunches at a bar drinking and taking afternoons off

Nebraska State Auditor Charlie Janssen has released a statement acknowledging reports that he spent long periods of time at lunches at a Lincoln bar drinking and took afternoons off. 

The story, which was originally reported by the Omaha World-Herald and then by our partner station KMTV, said Janssen was observed arriving late to his office at the state capitol and did not return in the afternoon. 

Janssen was also seen at a Lincoln sports bar ten times during a 20 working day period. 

Janssen told the World-Herald that his workday started early in the morning at his home in Fremont, and therefor ended early in the afternoon. 

He released a statement which you can read in full below.

"Recently there have been media reports regarding my office hours and activities during business hours. I am not a perfect man and I acknowledge the reports are true. I apologize to the citizens of Nebraska for some of my choices, and effective immediately I am taking steps to make changes in my personal and professional life."

"While I deeply regret my past actions, I urge citizens to look at the work we are doing in the State Auditor’s Office. We have come in under budget each year I have been auditor. We have uncovered numerous cases of fraud and abuse, saving taxpayers millions of dollars each year. We have helped several government bodies address and correct problems and irregularities so that they can better serve the citizens. We have done the work we have been tasked with and we have done so efficiently and effectively." 

"I ask the citizens of Nebraska look at our total body of work. I am not a man without faults, but I am also a man that owns up to mistakes and will correct them. I am asking the citizens to give me a chance to be an even better State Auditor moving forward."