Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry Found Guilty of Lying to Federal Agents About Campaign Donations
Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) was found guilty on Thursday of lying to federal investigators about a scheme to collect illegal foreign donations to the campaign. his 2016.
A Los Angeles federal grand jury found Fortenberry, 61, on all three counts he faces — one count of conspiracy to pervert and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements. with federal agents.
Prosecutors argued that Fortenberry, the first sitting member of Congress to stand trial in 21 years, know that $30,200 in illegal donations to his campaign came from a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire known to the congressman. Fortenberry has consistently denied any guilt in the matter, with his defense team alleging that federal agents unfairly targeted the defendant.
US District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr., said on Thursday Fortenberry would be allowed to remain at liberty until sentencing, as he is not considered a flight risk. Each charge of misleading his government carries a maximum sentence of five years.
