Lincoln. Neb. ? A University of Nebraska regent, already impeached by the Legislature, was convicted Friday of manipulating campaign-finance laws during his 2004 campaign and lying to cover it up.

The state Supreme Court ruling immediately removed David Hergert, 66, from office.

Hergert, a feed manufacturer, was impeached by the Legislature in April on 10 counts and found guilty of two: false reporting and obstructing government operations.

Hergert exceeded a voluntary state cap on campaign spending but missed a deadline to notify officials, depriving incumbent opponent Don Blank of $15,000 in matching funds in the closing days of the campaign. Hergert spent much of his money on advertising that attacked Blank.

After the election, Hergert reported spending nearly $90,000 on the campaign – more than twice his estimate.