A new report from the Nebraska State Auditor’s Office accuses the former part-time executive director of a state board of improperly receiving approximately $20,700 in unearned compensation. The audit alleges Trenton Behr, who led the Nebraska Abstractors Board of Examiners, systematically falsified his work hours.
The 54-page document, released by State Auditor Mike Foley, details a pattern of claimed work hours that auditors say conflict with Behr's obligations to another full-time employer, his university studies, and even personal travel. The report also criticizes the board for what it describes as a lack of sufficient oversight.
Key Takeaways
- A state audit accuses Trenton Behr, former director of the Abstractors Board, of receiving about $20,700 in unearned pay.
- The report alleges Behr submitted fraudulent timesheets while also working a full-time job and attending graduate school.
- Auditors claim Behr billed the state for hours during a trip to Disneyland and while working for his other employer.
- The Abstractors Board is criticized for lax oversight, though it pointed to an agreement with another state department for payroll management.
- The Nebraska State Patrol was involved in the investigation, according to the State Auditor.
Audit Details Allegations of Time Discrepancies
The investigation by the State Auditor's Office outlines numerous instances where Trenton Behr’s reported hours for the Nebraska Abstractors Board of Examiners were disputed. According to the report, Behr held a full-time position at Albireo Energy in Omaha during the period under review, which spanned from May 2024 to June 2025.
Auditors collaborated with the private employer to compare work schedules. The findings revealed significant overlaps and what the report describes as improbable work claims. State Auditor Mike Foley highlighted the severity of the findings in his comments on the report.
“This guy reminds me of the legendary ‘Big Foot,’ as there are rumors of his existence but few verifiable on-the-job sightings,” Foley stated, referring to the difficulty in verifying Behr's claimed work for the state board.
Questionable Timesheet Entries
The audit provides specific examples of the alleged discrepancies. In one documented 48-hour period, Behr reportedly claimed to have worked 24 consecutive hours for his private employer, Albireo Energy, and an additional 10 hours for the Abstractors Board.
Another section of the report points to a five-month period in 2025 where Behr's timesheets indicated he worked eight hours a day, seven days a week, for 140 consecutive days. Foley sarcastically referred to this as “a remarkable display of fortitude and devotion to duty by a public servant.”
Other Alleged Activities
The audit also states that during much of the time in question, Behr was enrolled as a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, pursuing a master’s degree. Furthermore, the report documents a trip Behr took to Disneyland while claiming work hours for the state board.
Oversight and Board Responsibility Questioned
A central theme of the audit is the issue of oversight. The Abstractors Board, which is governed by a five-member, governor-appointed panel, was criticized for what Foley’s team called a lack of internal controls. The agency, funded by certification and exam fees, has only one part-time employee, the executive director.
In its official response included within the audit, the board noted a 2021 arrangement with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The board stated this agreement was for DAS to manage the director's pay and timekeeping.
“The DAS office should have been responsible for management of timekeeping and reporting of fraudulent hours submitted,” the board’s response read. They requested that auditors modify findings related to their internal controls.
Auditor Reaffirms Board's Role
However, the State Auditor’s Office maintained that the board holds the ultimate responsibility for oversight. The report argues that while contracting with another agency can help manage risk, it does not absolve a governing board of its duties.
“A proper system of internal controls includes procedures to mitigate the risk for errors or abuse when a segregation of duties cannot be achieved,” the report stated. Foley expanded on this point, emphasizing the obligations that come with serving on any governing board, even in a volunteer capacity.
Role of the Abstractors Board
Established in 1965, the Nebraska Abstractors Board of Examiners is responsible for ensuring competence in real estate abstracting. This practice involves creating clear records of property deeds and leases to inform buyers of a property's legal history and status. Foley clarified that the audit's findings do not suggest any issues with the core duties of the board or the integrity of real estate transactions in the state.
Further Investigation and Consequences
According to the report, auditors worked with the Nebraska State Patrol during their investigation. The probe also looked into Behr's use of a corporate credit card from his private employer, Albireo Energy.
The audit uncovered another issue involving state funds. Foley said that after Behr's employment was terminated at Albireo Energy, he filed for unemployment benefits from the Nebraska Department of Labor. He allegedly claimed a “not working” status despite his ongoing employment with the Abstractors Board.
The Department of Labor paid Behr $1,128 in benefits before the payments were stopped after being flagged by the auditors. Behr has since been replaced by an interim director at the Abstractors Board. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, as he declined to speak with auditors through his attorney.
Foley condemned the actions described in the report, calling the behavior displayed by a “rogue” state employee egregious and indicative of a “lack of civic consciousness.” The board has agreed to implement some of the auditor's recommendations, including a more thorough review of itemized time cards submitted by its director.
