U.S. Congressman Fortenberry found guilty of lying to FBI about funds By Reuters
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© Reuters. FILE Photo: Jeff Fortenberry, (R-NE) speaks through testimony by U.S. Secretary of Point out Mike Pompeo at a listening to on the Point out Department’s spending budget ask for for 2020 in Washington, U.S. March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Image
By Jan Wolfe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. jury on Thursday convicted U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska, of lying to FBI investigators about illegal contributions to his 2016 re-election marketing campaign.
Adhering to a demo in Los Angeles federal court, the jury found Fortenberry guilty of scheming to falsify and conceal material points, alongside with two counts of creating untrue statements to federal investigators.
Prosecutors accused Fortenberry of lying to investigators for the duration of two interviews in 2019 about $30,000 in campaign contributions he gained in 2016 from Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury.
Federal regulation prohibits foreign nationals from donating to federal election strategies.
Fortenberry’s attorneys reported he did not suggest to mislead FBI agents but was caught off-guard by their job interview ask for and experienced from a defective memory.
Prosecutors alleged that an associate who hosted a 2016 fundraiser for Fortenberry instructed him in a 2018 telephone contact that the donations in concern “probably did arrive from Gilbert Chagoury” but were being routed through intermediaries to stay clear of personal donor limits.
In accordance to the U.S. Justice Division, when FBI brokers quizzed Fortenberry about the campaign contributions he denied getting knowledgeable of any unlawful donations.
“If we want to expect any individual to abide by the law, in the long run it commences with the law-makers,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Mack Jenkins advised media outside the house the courthouse following the verdict was declared.
“I believe that is even more paramount when the investigation by itself goes to election integrity.”
Fortenberry, 61, has served in Congress due to the fact 2005.
The 3 felony costs every carry a utmost penalty of 5 years in prison. A sentencing listening to is scheduled for June 28 right before U.S. District Choose Stanley Blumenfeld in Los Angeles.
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