As he grew Nebraska’s largest hog operation, Jim Pillen made economic and environmental assurances to residents of small communities where he was looking to build. Some residents profited. Others say Pillen Family Farms prospered while they suffered.
Monitoring wells at 16 Pillen family-tied operations have tested for nitrate levels far above legal drinking water limit. One was so high, an expert said, “it should be a 911.”
Jim Pillen built one of the biggest hog enterprises in the country. Then he got elected governor. It’s a Nebraska success story — one raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
