Nebraska State Senator Dan McKeon has changed course and entered a not guilty plea to a disturbing the peace charge stemming from an allegation related to his behavior at an end-of-session party last spring. McKeon had been scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday morning, but on Tuesday afternoon his attorney, Perry Pirsch, submitted the written plea on his behalf. Lancaster County Court Judge Matt Acton has set a docket call for January 26.
Last week, Pirsch attempted to submit a no-contest plea and waive McKeon’s court appearance, but the court rejected the filing because the senator was required to appear in person to enter the plea.
McKeon is accused of grabbing a legislative aide’s buttocks over her clothing and making inappropriate sexual jokes to her during a May 29 gathering at the Country Club of Lincoln. The Nebraska State Patrol initially cited him for public indecency on October 31, but prosecutors later filed the lesser charge of disturbing the peace. The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a $500 fine—half the potential punishment of the original charge, which would have required proof of sexual intent.
Pirsch called the reduced charge a “victory,” saying McKeon hopes to move past the incident and focus on the upcoming legislative session. McKeon, 59, previously apologized to the aide in a July 28 letter, while his attorney has characterized the incident as a joke that went too far.
The aide’s attorney, Kathleen Neary, said they are preparing for a potential lawsuit.
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