Nebraska Seeks to Revive Theft Case Against Former Historical Society Director

Nebraska Seeks to Revive Theft Case Against Former Historical Society Director

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s top legal office is asking a state appeals court to reconsider its dismissal of a theft by deception case against Trevor Jones, the former head of the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Jones, 52, is accused of misdirecting $270,000 in private donations intended to help the agency recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors allege that instead of using the funds to offset the agency’s losses, Jones redirected the money into another foundation he controlled.

Jones served as director and CEO of the organization—renamed “History Nebraska” under his leadership—from 2016 until his resignation in 2022. He stepped down shortly before a report by the Nebraska State Auditor raised concerns about the legality of the financial transaction.

The felony charge against Jones was first dismissed in January by Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong. She ruled that state prosecutors had failed to bring Jones to trial within the required timeframe under Nebraska’s speedy trial rules.

In March, Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore dismissed the state’s appeal, citing a failure by prosecutors to follow proper procedures. That decision triggered a strong response from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

On April 3, acting Solicitor General Zachary Viglianco filed a 21-page motion asking the Appeals Court to rehear the case. The motion claims the dismissal was granted prematurely—two days before the deadline for the state’s response—and without giving prosecutors a chance to be heard.

“Inexplicably, the court granted Jones’ motion two days before the state’s response deadline had run,” the filing stated. “That was error. And one with profound consequences.”

Viglianco’s motion argues that the court’s early ruling undermines confidence in the judicial process. It describes the prosecution as “a high-profile criminal case involving a public official” and says the state deserves an opportunity to present its side.

Defense Pushes Back

Jones’ legal team disagrees. Attorney Michael Wilson of Omaha filed a response the same day, urging the court to maintain the dismissal. He argued that the Attorney General’s office relied on incorrect legal precedents in its effort to reopen the case.

When the dismissal was issued last month, Jones’ lead attorney, Mallory Hughes, said she had been “very confident” that the appeal would fail and remained confident it would not be reinstated.

As of late last week, the Nebraska Court of Appeals had not responded to the motion for rehearing.

Changing Leadership

Following Jones’ resignation from his $164,800-a-year position, Gov. Jim Pillen restored the agency’s original name, the Nebraska State Historical Society. He also appointed Daryl Bohac, former Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard, as the new director.

The prosecution’s request to reopen the case remains pending.