Lincoln, Neb. – State Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley is publicly questioning a proposed payment by the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System (NPERS) to former executive director Thomas Pfeifle. According to the auditor’s office, NPERS intends to issue a lump‑sum check of over $23,000 covering salary and benefits for a tenure that lasted less than four months.
Auditor cites legal and ethical concerns
Foley called the planned payout “unconscionable” and warned that it may violate state law. He noted that Pfeifle resigned on Sept. 21, 2026, walked out of the office that day, and returned his state‑issued cell phone, keys, laptop, and identification. Despite the abrupt departure, Pfeifle claimed his resignation would not become effective until Oct. 31, 2026, effectively extending his pay period by five weeks.
“Rewarding a state employee who was on the job for not quite four months before abandoning his position and turning in his state cell phone, keys, laptop, and identification, and then doing absolutely nothing through Halloween Day is not only unconscionable,” Foley said, “but also raises serious questions about the legality of the planned payment.”
Details of the employment and resignation
Pfeifle began his role with NPERS on May 18, 2026. He submitted his resignation less than four months later, on Sept. 21, and left the workplace immediately. The auditor’s office says the employee’s claim that his resignation would not take effect until Oct. 31 appears to be an “apparently successful attempt to collect another five weeks of full pay and benefits.”
NPERS response and next steps
NPERS has not yet provided a formal response to the auditor’s concerns. The agency’s standard procedure for terminating executive contracts typically includes a review of any severance or accrued benefits, but Foley’s office is reviewing whether the proposed payment complies with Nebraska statutes governing public‑employee compensation.
Foley’s office has indicated that it will conduct a thorough audit of the payout, including a review of the contractual language that governs executive resignations and any applicable state statutes. If the auditor finds that the payment violates state law, NPERS could be required to return the funds or adjust its payroll practices to prevent similar situations.
Implications for state payroll oversight
The controversy highlights broader concerns about fiscal responsibility and transparency in Nebraska’s public‑sector payroll systems. State officials and taxpayers alike have expressed interest in ensuring that public funds are not used to reward short‑term employment or to exploit loopholes in resignation policies.
“Nebraska taxpayers deserve assurance that every dollar spent by the state is done so with integrity and in accordance with the law,” Foley added. “Our office will continue to protect the public’s interest by holding agencies accountable for their financial decisions.”
The auditor’s investigation is ongoing, and further findings will be released as the review progresses.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
