Kintner fined for Skype sex on state computer

State Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion has been fined $1,000 for using his state computer for a sexual encounter via Skype. Despite calls from the governor and the speaker of the Legislature, Kintner says he won’t resign, so Sen. Ernie Chambers says he’ll try to get him removed from office. Warning: this story contains subject matter of an adult nature.

Following a week of reports and speculation about Kintner’s online sexual encounter, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission voted unanimously Friday to fine him $1,000 for improper use of his state computer. Speaking to reporters afterward, Kintner said the incident happened when he was chatting with a woman via Skype in July of last year. A Nebraska State Patrol report says, “During the video chat, a sexually explicit conversation was conducted resulting in both participants engaged in masturbation.” Later, the patrol report says the woman demanded $4,500 or she would release a video. Kintner contacted the state patrol.

Kintner, a conservative Republican in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, discussed the experience in religious terms, calling it a wake-up call.

“If it could happen to a guy that’s a Christian and goes to church, this is something that all men need to understand – that sexual sin, it’s the way Satan gets to us,” Kintner said.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, a political ally of Kintner’s, issued a statement that read “In light of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission’s decision, Senator Kintner should resign his office immediately. Period.”

Speaker of the Legislature Galen Hadley agreed.

“I think he should resign. Absolutely,” Hadley said.

But Kintner said he would not.

“I prayed for a week. My staff prayed. My wife prayed. The pastor of Capitol Ministries prayed and one other pastor prayed. And after doing that for a week, I am comfortable where I am right now. I will not be resigning,” he said.

Sen. Ernie Chambers dismissed Kintner’s religious statements.

“To call himself a follower of Christ is the biggest bunch of hooey I’ve ever heard coming from even a hypocrite like him,” Chambers said.

Chambers said he will try to impeach or expel Kintner.

“The Legislature has to take action to get him out of this body. And I am going to make sure that such action is initiated,” he said.

Speaker Hadley said the question of what to do next will be discussed by the Legislature’s Executive Board when it meets August 19.