Washington, D.C. – Federal prosecutors have once again indicted former Nebraska lawmaker Jeff Fortenberry, accusing him of lying to the FBI about an illegal campaign contribution. This marks a continuation of legal troubles for Fortenberry, who was previously found guilty of similar charges in 2022 and later had his conviction overturned by a federal appeals court.
The latest indictment alleges that Fortenberry falsified and concealed facts related to a $30,000 contribution from a Nigerian businessman to his 2016 re-election campaign. Despite facing similar charges before, the Republican politician now finds himself entangled in legal proceedings once more.
In the previous case, Fortenberry was convicted of lying to FBI agents during interviews regarding his knowledge of the contributions. However, the appeals court ruled that he was tried in the wrong state, leading to the reversal of his conviction. The new indictment is connected to the same alleged incident as before, indicating a continued legal battle for Fortenberry.
Following the initial conviction, Fortenberry resigned from his House seat amid threats of possible expulsion. Federal investigators had been looking into illegal political contributions to his campaign and other federal candidates’ campaigns. Questions were raised about lawmakers’ awareness of these contributions, shedding light on a larger investigation into potential campaign finance violations.
The indictment alleges that a Norwegian businessman arranged for the illegal contribution to Fortenberry’s campaign, which the politician failed to disclose properly. Despite being questioned by federal investigators, he maintained that he was unaware of the illegal contribution and expressed shock at the possibility of such actions. The new charges indicate that prosecutors believe Fortenberry knowingly misled authorities about the foreign contribution.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Fortenberry faces renewed scrutiny and potential consequences for his alleged actions. The indictment serves as a stark reminder of the legal challenges faced by public officials and the importance of transparency in political fundraising activities.