Thursday, March 24, 2022

GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Convicted Of Lying To FBI


A Federal Jury has found, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NB, 1st District), Guilty on Three Felony Counts, in a Case, charging him with making False Statements to the FBI, about his knowledge of Campaign Donations made with Funds from a Foreign National. The Jury, returned the Verdicts after less than Three hours of Deliberations, following a weeklong Trial in Los Angeles, California. Fortenberry was Indicted in October, 2021, on Two Charges of making False Statements and One Count of scheming to deceive Federal Agencies.

Prosecutors said Fortenberry Lied to Investigators, when he Denied knowing that a Lebanese-Nigerian Businessman, Gilbert Chagoury, Donated about $30,000 to his Campaign through Intermediaries, at a 2016 Fundraiser in Glendale, Calif. He did Not take the stand in his own defense. Fortenberry faces a possible Prison sentence of up to Five years on each Count, as well as Fines.

Fortenberry’s Defense argued that he might have been Distracted or had a Poor Phone connection when the Organizer of that Fundraiser, Elias Ayoub, told him about the Source of the Funds in a 2018 Phone Call. At the time Ayoub made the call, he had already been approached by the FBI and was working with the Bureau. In fact, the FBI asked Ayoub to contact Fortenberry and Recorded the Conversation.

FBI Agents went to Fortenberry’s home in early 2019, and secretly Videotaped the Congressman as they questioned him about his Knowledge of the Fundraising. He Denied knowing about Foreign Money or Straw Donations, but did say Ayoub said something worrying that led the Lawmaker to cut the Conversations short. About Three months later, Fortenberry and his Attorney at the time, former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), met in Washington with the FBI and Federal Prosecutors. Fortenberry repeated essentially the same Denials, Prosecutors said.

Chagoury and the People who acted as Straw Donors were actively Advocating with Fortenberry, on behalf of Christian Minorities in the Middle East. Chagoury, who is Not a U.S. Citizen, admitted to making a Total of $180,000 in Donations to several U.S. Candidates, and agreed to pay a $1.8 million Penalty. He entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement that allows him to avoid further Punishment if he abides by the Deal. Ayoub was Not charged in Exchange for his Cooperation with Prosecutors.

Fortenberry is the First Member of Congress, to be Convicted while in Office, since Rep. Chaka Fattah Sr. (D-Pa.) was found Guilty of Corruption Charges in 2016.

Fortenberry’s Conviction could mark the End of the Nine-term Republican’s Political Career. A Nebraska Congressman with little Name Recognition outside of his State, he would still be eligible to Run for and Serve in Congress as a Felon, though a Resignation is likely, given the Threat of Expulsion. Blumenfeld allowed Fortenberry to remain on Release pending Sentencing, which was set for June 28th.

After years of reliable Reelections, many of Nebraska’s prominent Republicans have moved their Support to State Sen. Mike Flood, who jumped into the Race in the State’s 1st Congressional District, amid concerns that Fortenberry’s Conviction could cost the Party their GOP Seat.

The District includes a stretch of Rural Eastern Nebraska, but also captures liberal-leaning Lincoln. Progressive State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks is likely to win the Democratic Nomination for the District.










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