Four state senators launch support fund for 'survivors and witnesses' of Herbster behavior

LA VISTA, Neb. -- Four Nebraska state senators launched a fund on Tuesday to support "survivors and witnesses of Charles Herbster's sexual misconduct," they announced at a press conference.

The group of state senators includes Joni Albrecht of Thurston, Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, and Rita Sanders of Bellevue.

Two of the senators claimed during the news conference that they had received intimidating letters from Herbster.

Herbster, a Republican candidate for governor of Nebraska, has faced accusations of sexual misconduct in recent weeks from several women including State Sen. Julie Slama of Sterling. The candidate filed a defamation lawsuit in Johnson County Court last week and was countersued for sexual battery by Slama on Monday. Slama also issued a statement through her lawyer on Tuesday accusing Herbster of attempting to bully her and others through recently released advertisements. 

“We are Nebraska leaders determined that no survivor or witness of sexual assault will be intimidated into silence,” the website states. “The Herbster Victim Witness Legal Defense Fund is standing up to Herbster’s tactics by helping survivors and witnesses of his misconduct pay legal bills and receive the counsel they deserve.”

The site promises to handle all information received “with sensitivity and confidentiality.” The senators are listed as the fund’s board of directors.