Central Nebraska sheriff jailed on suspicion of insurance fraud

Paul Hammel

Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — A rural Nebraska sheriff was in jail Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of insurance fraud, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Casey Hurlburt, who has served as the Valley County sheriff for more than 20 years, was arrested Tuesday by investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol after what was described as a "months-long investigation."

Hurlburt was lodged at the Hall County Jail.

A State Patrol spokesman said he could not provide any more information about the arrest because the investigation is ongoing.

But the state statute concerning the charge of "fraudulent insurance acts" includes seeking to obtain insurance proceeds via false information, or assisting someone else to do that.

Valley County Clerk Judy Bower said that she could not comment on the arrest other than to say that any charges do not appear to be related to county business.

Hurlburt is listed as the fourth vice president of the Nebraska Sheriffs Association, an affiliate of the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

Two years ago, the sheriff was quoted by television station KFXL that foul play "will not be tolerated" in his department, after two deputies were found guilty of drug possession and dismissed.

"This as of today shows what happens when you do violate that trust. It will not be tolerated and we will continue to hold ourselves to a high standard," Hurlburt told the station.

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office assisted in the investigation.