‘He is a predator’: Four Nebraska senators to raise money for Herbster accusers

LA VISTA, Neb. (KLKN) – Sens. Suzanne Geist, Joni Albrecht, Lou Ann Linehan, and Rita Sanders announced Tuesday that they will be raising money to help any accusers of gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster.

They say the accusers would not have to go public and would receive whatever legal help is possible.

Linehan pointed to the number of women who have accused Herbster of sexual assault.

“They are all in their early 20s or late teens. He’s clearly a predator,” she said. “He doesn’t go around to women in our age group who would turn around and slap him. He is a predator.”

The senators, all Republicans in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, have not chosen an attorney to work with, but said they know plenty who would be willing to help.

“Our goal is to provide resources and connections to counsel so those that choose to step forward can do so without fear,” Linehan said.

Herbster campaign spokeswoman Emily Novotny released a statement in response to the announcement:

This is just another attempt by the Jim Pillen campaign and Ricketts establishment machine to sling mud at Charles W. Herbster before the May 10th primary election. All four Senators have been financially supported by Governor Ricketts in the past and were early supporters of Jim Pillen. It is absolutely shameful that they would use such serious matters to push a political smear campaign.

Charles will continue to fight to expose politically-motivated lies, to clear his good name, and to focus on the issues that he will tackle as the next governor of Nebraska.

At least two senators besides Julie Slama, who is one of Herbster’s accusers, have received letters from Herbster’s legal team.

Linehan said that while Herbster filed a lawsuit, Slama hasn’t been formally served.

“He sends threatening letters, but he doesn’t send sheriffs to your door,” she said. “This is all threats and bullying. There is no real legal action taking place here.”

On Monday, Slama filed a countersuit against Herbster.

The four senators who spoke Tuesday have endorsed gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen but said this has nothing to do with him.

“It’s not about politics,” Sanders said. “It’s about sending a message loud and clear, that survivors and witnesses won’t be bullied or intimidated into silence in our state. We won’t let that happen.”

The senators set up a website, Herbster Victim Witness Defense Fund, where people can donate and request help.

Geist added, “This has absolutely nothing to do with any political candidate other than Charles Herbster.”