LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A watchdog group is criticizing emails that were sent to the personal accounts of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top aides, discussing state business.

Jack Gould of Common Cause Nebraska says all such discussions should take place on state accounts. The emails were obtained by the Nebraska Democratic Party in response to a records request.

The emails were sent last month by Jessica Moenning, a private adviser whom Ricketts pays with his own money. One contained a copy of Ricketts’ State of the State speech; the other discussed a job opening.

Although the emails were released, the arrangement has drawn criticism from groups that say Moenning should be a state employee if she’s advising Ricketts.

Ricketts spokesman Taylor Gage says state employees should use state accounts to conduct business.