A federal grand jury in Nebraska has indicted Hobert Rupe, 58, and Brent Zywiec, 45, both of Lincoln, on charges related to honest services fraud. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods. Both men were arrested on September 24, 2025.
Rupe is the former Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Zywiec is a partial owner of two Lincoln clubs: “The Office Gentleman’s Club” and “The Night Before Lounge.” They face charges including conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and three counts of honest services fraud. Rupe faces additional charges: two counts of wire fraud and one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right. The alleged offenses occurred between January 1, 2022, and May 28, 2025. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment per count.
According to the indictment, Rupe allegedly conspired with club owners—including Zywiec—to receive personal and financial benefits in exchange for illegal assistance provided to their establishments. These benefits reportedly included commercial sex acts, cash payments, and free amenities at the clubs such as VIP dances and alcoholic drinks that others would normally pay for. In return for these benefits, Rupe allegedly failed to report or investigate liquor license violations at the establishments and misused law enforcement resources against competitors in Omaha.
Rupe is also accused of not disclosing these benefits on required state accountability forms.
One count alleges that Rupe extorted $65,000 from a business owner with an understanding he would help them retain a liquor license they otherwise would not qualify for under state rules.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said: “Public corruption undermines the trust of all Nebraskans in their officials. The citizens of Nebraska are the primary victims of this case. The Executive Director of the Liquor Control Commission should be the official who polices establishments like the ones identified in the Indictment for the benefit of public safety. Furthermore, allowing individuals who should not have liquor licenses to obtain or retain those licenses is a dangerous abuse of power. There are good public safety reasons for many of the rules that govern liquor licenses, and the Executive Director of the Liquor Control Commission should serve as the public guardian against those threats to public safety, not be the enabler of them. Mr. Rupe is alleged to have violated that trust and allowed himself to be unlawfully influenced in the execution of those duties. This investigation was a joint effort with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office is grateful to those partners for their tireless efforts on this critical investigation.”
Indictments are charging documents containing accusations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Nebraska Attorney General’s Office conducted this investigation.
