Former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has been charged with lying to federal authorities about a foreign billionaire’s illegal $30,000 contribution to his campaign, a case that was originally derailed by an appellate court. The Nebraska Republican was convicted in 2022, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Fortenberry’s conviction, ruling that the case should not have been tried in Los Angeles. He has since been indicted on two counts in Washington D.C.: falsifying and concealing material facts and making false statements.
Fortenberry’s spokesman, Chad Kolton, believes the case should not have been brought, especially after the 9th Circuit ruled in Fortenberry’s favor. Kolton described the prosecution as overzealous and vindictive, questioning the pursuit of a retrial in D.C. Following his conviction, Fortenberry announced his resignation from the office he had held since 2005, under pressure from congressional leaders and Nebraska’s Republican governor. The case revolves around an investigation into illegal campaign contributions made by Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, who made a $30,000 contribution to Fortenberry through middlemen at a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles.
Chagoury later agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine, as foreign nationals are prohibited from directly contributing money to candidates for federal offices in the United States. Fortenberry was charged after denying to the FBI that he knew about the illicit funds from Chagoury. The indictment states that a person who cooperated with the FBI repeatedly informed Fortenberry about the illegal contributions. The 9th Circuit’s ruling stated that Fortenberry was improperly tried in Los Angeles since the charges were related to statements he made to federal agents in his home in Nebraska and his lawyer’s office in Washington.
Fortenberry’s trial was significant as the first for a sitting member of Congress since Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, who was convicted in 2002 of bribery and other felony charges. The indictment and subsequent legal proceedings have cast a shadow over Fortenberry’s political career and have led to his decision to resign from his longtime position in Congress. The case highlights the importance of transparency and integrity in campaign finance laws, as well as the consequences of dishonesty in dealings with federal authorities. The outcome of the retrial in D.C. will likely have significant implications for Fortenberry’s future and reputation in the political sphere.
