U.S. Congressman Fortenberry discovered responsible of mendacity to FBI about funds By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Jeff Fortenberry, (R-NE) speaks throughout testimony by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a listening to on the State Division’s price range request for 2020 in Washington, U.S. March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Picture

By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. jury on Thursday convicted U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska, of mendacity to FBI investigators about unlawful contributions to his 2016 re-election marketing campaign.

Following a trial in Los Angeles federal court docket, the jury discovered Fortenberry responsible of scheming to falsify and conceal materials info, together with two counts of creating false statements to federal investigators.

Prosecutors accused Fortenberry of mendacity to investigators throughout two interviews in 2019 about $30,000 in marketing campaign contributions he acquired in 2016 from Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury.

Federal regulation prohibits international nationals from donating to federal election campaigns.

Fortenberry’s legal professionals stated he didn’t imply to mislead FBI brokers however was caught off-guard by their interview request and suffered from a defective reminiscence.

Prosecutors alleged that an affiliate who hosted a 2016 fundraiser for Fortenberry informed him in a 2018 phone name that the donations in query “most likely did come from Gilbert Chagoury” however had been routed by means of intermediaries to keep away from particular person donor limits.

In response to the U.S. Justice Division, when FBI brokers quizzed Fortenberry concerning the marketing campaign contributions he denied being conscious of any unlawful donations.

“If we wish to count on anybody to comply with the regulation, in the end it begins with the law-makers,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Mack Jenkins informed media exterior the courthouse after the decision was introduced.

“I feel that is much more paramount when the investigation itself goes to election integrity.”

Fortenberry, 61, has served in Congress since 2005.

The three felony fees every carry a most penalty of 5 years in jail. A sentencing listening to is scheduled for June 28 earlier than U.S. District Choose Stanley Blumenfeld in Los Angeles.