2 misdemeanors in vote flap (suspicion of bribery and illegal electioneering)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110517/NEWS01/705179931#2-misdemeanors-in-vote-flap

Published Tuesday May 17, 2011

By Robynn Tysver
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Two misdemeanor charges, including bribing a voter.

That's the result of a criminal investigation into the homeless-busing scandal that dogged Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle in the final days of his recall election.

A low-level employee in Suttle's campaign will be cited on suspicion of bribery and illegal electioneering — both misdemeanors. But Cheryl Wheeler, 51, of Omaha will not be alone in facing charges from the failed attempt to recall Suttle.

In addition, a paid petition circulator was charged Monday with making up signatures.

The allegations against Wheeler come after a four-month investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol found no evidence that the people running Suttle's campaign did anything illegal, said Don Kleine, Douglas County attorney. The leaders of Forward Omaha did, however, show “poor judgment” by offering rides to the homeless and $5 to attend a campaign workshop, he said.

Kleine said he couldn't remember anyone else in his 23 years as a prosecutor who had been charged for trying to bribe a voter. “The State Patrol noted in the report there was a complete lack of oversight and poor judgment on the part of supervisors of Forward Omaha,” Kleine said.

FULL story at link.