LINCOLN–(KFOR Sept. 24)–Former Nebraska Liquor Control Commission executive director Hobert Rupe and the owner of two gentlemen’s clubs in Lincoln have been indicted on federal fraud charges.
Court records say the 58-year-old Rupe, a former assistant attorney general for Nebraska, and 45-year-old Brent Zywiec have been charged as co-conspirators in an 11-count federal indictment. For Rupe, that ranges from wire fraud, honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and Hobbs Act extortion. According to the indictment, Rupe conspired with Zywiec to benefit his strip clubs in Lincoln, The Office and The Night Before Lounge, in exchange for access to dancers, free drinks and sexual favors.
“Rupe would also pass along sensitive law enforcement information and techniques to Zywiec,” FBI special agent in charge Eugene Kowel said during a news briefing Wednesday in Omaha. “Rupe never had reported any of the clear violations of law he observed at these clubs, nor did he ever disclose the numerous gifts that he received. Both of these, of course, were requirements of the position he held.”…