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Fremont City Council President Mark Jensen is shown in this screenshot pulled from a video taken on May 18 inside Big Red Keno. This image shows Jensen moments before he appears to cash in a winning keno ticket.
Fremont City Council President Mark Jensen says complaints filed against him by two residents alleging him of violating a city ordinance regarding the playing of keno by elected officials are an “attack” on his constituents and local governance.
Jensen’s admission that he regularly plays the city-licensed gambling game keno will be the focus of an agenda item during the Tuesday meeting of the Fremont City Council.
The two-term council member who represents Ward 3 has denied any wrong-doing and also stated repeatedly that he does not believe a city ordinance about keno bars elected officials and their spouses from playing the game.
“I consider this action against me as an attack on the people in my Ward that voted me as their representative and an attack on anyone who may choose to run for a City Council seat,” Jensen stated in an email to the Fremont Tribune on Friday.
“Those bringing this action are just wrong in what the ordinance says — council members have the same rights and privileges concerning keno lottery play as the general public,” he added. “I look forward to a quick resolution of this issue and returning our focus back on actual genuine issues in Fremont.”
Jensen is facing accusations from two local residents, former city council member Brad Yerger as well as local animal rights activist Rae Tuff.
In a May 31 interview with the Fremont Tribune, Jensen said those targeting him were wasting the time of the city council as well as diverting the council’s focus from more important issues facing the city.
Tuff contacted the Fremont Tribune on Friday, providing the complaint she filed with Fremont City Clerk Tyler Ficken on June 9. In a telephone interview, Tuff said she’s witnessed Jensen playing keno, “for years,” and said she filed a complaint against Jensen in June 2021, but said no action was taken at that time.
In her complaint about Jensen from June 9, Tuff sent videos and photographs of Jensen playing keno at Big Red Keno in Fremont along with a letter asking that he face a hearing and be removed from office.
“I am writing to you to lodge a formal complaint against City Council member Mark Jensen. I believe he has violated state laws and city ordinances that prohibit elected City Council members from playing keno. As a result, I am requesting that the City investigate this issue and prosecute him in accordance with the provisions I find in Fremont’s Municipal Code,” Tuff wrote in her letter.
Tuff also cited her video and photographic evidence as well as those from another private citizen who provided seven videos of Jensen playing keno to the Fremont Tribune.
Fremont City Council President Mark Jensen allegedly playing keno.
“Based on my documents that are attached and the pictures and videos reported in the newspaper story, as well as Mr. Jensen’s voluntary admission to playing keno in violation of City Code, I believe he should be investigated and found guilty of misconduct and thus, removed from office for violation of City Code,” she stated in the complaint.
The agenda item for the June 27 meeting is titled, Resolution 2023-164 which states, “consideration of removal from office following written charges signed and verified charging Council Member Mark Jensen with misconduct.”
It includes a request for a motion to, “waive attorney client privilege and receive memorandum from City Attorney,” as well as to approve the resolution in order to set a hearing on such charge.
Under the city’s municipal code, Jensen could face a hearing on the misconduct allegation. Similar to a trial in court, defendants in city hearings are allowed to have an attorney, to present evidence and to cross examine witnesses. The prosecution would be conducted by a city attorney.
If Jensen is found to have violated a city ordinance, he could face removal from office. That requires 75% of the council — six members — to approve a potential removal. Other possible penalties if found guilty include a fine up to $1,000 and three months in the county jail under Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-601 of the city’s municipal code.
Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
A’rielle Harvell (bottom), 5, slides down an inflatable water slide next to her sisters, Yahkira Harvell (top), 4, and Samirah Graham, 13, on Monday in central Lincoln. The temperature in Lincoln reached 96 on Monday and was in the 90s again on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the 90s and mostly sunny conditions for at least the next week.
David Campbell, a recent graduate from Union college’s international rescue and relief program, climbs and repels from a tree alongside Mike Mikler (not pictured) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
The duo, who had earlier created a giant swing, said they were climbing the trees for fun and practice. The program for International rescue and relief is a bachelor of science degree designed for students who want to serve and help others in disaster and humanitarian relief.
Southeast Community College Professor Michael Mellon teaches anatomy of the human brain to his class Tuesday in Lincoln. A change to community college funding in Nebraska will result in higher property taxes to support SCC next year, but officials say a tax credit will offset those increases.
Crane removal equipment sits on Q St. between North 9th and 10th St. temporarily closing the section of Q until June 23rd, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Lincoln.
Malone Ribbon Dancers, including Maisey Ratliff, 8, dance during Lincoln’s Juneteenth celebration Saturday at Trago Park.
Scott Copeland (Left) and Donnette Thayer (right) play Irish folk music with friends during the Hub Farmers Market at Union Plaza park on Wednesday. The markets are Wednesdays, from 5-7 p.m., through Sept. 20.
Open Harvest employees shovel gravel at the Open Harvest ground breaking in the Telegraph District, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
Dynasty Volleyball players Abigail Mullen (bottom left), Reese Messer (left), Claire Cisneros (top right), and Skyler Pierce (right) share snacks and stories with one another as they rest on the catwalk overlooking the volleyball courts ahead of their next match during the Midwest PreNationals tournament on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Sports Pavilion Lawrence in Lawrence.
Fisherman Salem Alsareni, catches a 24 inch carp, weighing in at six and a half pounds at Holmes Lake, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Lincoln.
Angela Gebhardt walks next to Star City Chorus during the Star City Pride Parade Saturday at the Nebraska state Capitol.
Foster Care Closet employee Brooke Horton lifts boxes of diapers onto the bus before departing for Norfolk on Friday.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor candidate Rodney Bennett answers questions from students and staff who are part of the College of Law on Thursday at the Office of the President.
Terrance McIntyre gets his hair cut by Treveon Phinney at 402 Fades Barber Shop on Thursday at Gateway Mall.
Eliana Athena Vargas Smith, 2, plays in the fountain at Union Plaza park on Wednesday, when temperatures reached 88 degrees in Lincoln.
Children extend their arms outward as they reach for bubbles to pop during a family fun night ice cream party on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Charles H. Gere Branch Library in Lincoln.
Harper Trumble (top right) dances with her cousin Keegan VanDeWater (right) while Alexis Arai y Su Grupo perform as part of the Jazz in June concert series on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at in the Sheldon Sculpture Garden at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln. The first performers for Jazz in June drew a sizable crowd on Tuesday. The free concert series, held each Tuesday in June, will feature two sets of music from 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:45 p.m. Beyond the performances, the series will include education outreach coordinated by community centers and artists. A market offered food and drinks to hungry patrons. And a bike Valet will provided free, secure parking for bicycles from 5 p.m. until the end of the performance in the market.
The Rev. T. Michael Williams signs the petition to repeal LB753 during Support our Schools Nebraska petition drive kickoff at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
Mia Masch, 5, has her hair adjusted by her father Ian while his pet parrot Mango rests atop his shoulder during an animal blessing ceremony at First-Plymouth Church.
Shriner clowns cover their hearts for the invocation before the Nebraska Shrine Bowl on Saturday at Cope Stadium in Kearney.
A rainbow is seen near Ralston High School stadium during the Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase on Friday.
Grace Jacobson of Lincoln holds a rainbow umbrella over a coffin prop in front of the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.
Nikita (black) jumps into the dog pool as Pearl chases after her at Off Leash Dog Bar on Wednesday.
Lincoln East’s Carter Mick (10) poses for portrait , Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lincoln.
Rebecca Rager greets her grandfather Alfred Zieg (from left) during a celebration before his birthday on Wednesday, in the Gramercy dining room on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at The Residence at Gramercy in Lincoln. ‘It has been a life for sure,” Alfred Zieg said during the celebration. “And on Wednesday I get to start all over again, right?”
Muggs, a 6 year-old chocolate lab fetches his toy from the water following his dive on Saturday at Paws 4 Fun in Lincoln.
Fire fighters clear out hot debris pulled off of 411 Mulder Dr home after alert two back yard fire, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Lincoln.
