LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts’ choice to lead the Nebraska State Patrol says he did nothing wrong in a case where the agency was accused of discriminating against a female employee.

Bradley Rice of Elkhorn said the same qualifying standards should apply to male and female troopers as a legislative committee vetted him during his appointment hearing on Wednesday.

The appointment was clouded by a 2006 lawsuit in which Sgt. Carla Schreiber claimed she had been denied promotions five times between 2004 and 2005 based on her gender.

Rice was part of the panel that rejected Schreiber. Schreiber was awarded damages and the rank of lieutenant in 2007.

At the hearing, troopers defended Rice’s integrity, fairness and leadership.

The committee is expected to advance the appointment to the full Legislature this week.