NU law professor weighs in on Herbster allegations

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A University of Nebraska professor has shared his take on the allegations facing Charles Herbster as the primary approaches.

Republican State Sen. Julie Slama and several other women who’ve yet to speak publicly say that Herbster touched them inappropriately.

Herbster has denied all claims and maintains his innocence.

NU professor of law Steven Willborn spoke on the charges Herbster could face if accusers decided to file formal complaints against the GOP Gubernatorial candidate.

”We don’t know much about who the complainants are. … If they’re employees, there are federal and state laws that would constitute harassment under those laws. If they’re not employees, which seems more likely, then there’s a tort that might apply, intentional infliction of emotional distress. That’s a bit harder to prove, and the damages are different, but there would still be an avenue for seeking redress.”

Willborn also said the case against Herbster could be grounds for him to file a countersuit, as Herbster suggested that he’d be willing to sue those who’d bring charges against him.

“The nature of a countersuit by Mr. Herbster would be defamation, and if he could show that these were not truthful allegations and that they harmed his reputation, harmed the reputation would be easy to establish.”