Embattled Incumbent Addresses Criminal Charges

Brenda Council defends state AG's decision to use discretion with charges

By Justin Pazera

CREATED Oct. 14, 2012

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Omaha, NE --She wants to stay in office for another term but the last few weeks haven't been easy for District 11 incumbent Brenda Council. She's admitted to spending more than $60,000 in campaign donations on gambling. Now her opponent says she should have been charged with felonies not misdemeanors.

Council says, "We all make mistakes and I ask that the voters look at the body of work, the accomplishments that I have been responsible for occurring that impact their lives positively." But her opponent Ernie Chambers says it's not that simple. He's filed a complaint with the U.S.Attorney's Office because he believes the state Attorney General went easy on her. Council says, "I think the Attorney General did what the Attorney General has the authority to do and that is to exercise prosecutorial discretion." Council has already pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and continues to run for re-election.  Had she been convicted of a felony, by law she would be out of the legislature.  

Council believes the latest bout with Chambers is just a ploy to skirt the real issues in District 11 like poverty and education. Council, "My opponent dwells on an issue that has been settled in hopes of overshadowing and diverting the attention of the voters of this District 11 away from the discussion of what has been done and what has not been done to address the critical issues facing these residents." Council says she plans to re-pay the entire amount she took by election day. We tried to contact Ernie Chambers and haven't heard back.