Jeff Fortenberry, a nine-term former Republican Representative from Nebraska, was convicted in 2022 of lying to the FBI. On Tuesday, an appellate court reversed the conviction, ruling that Fortenberry’s trial was held in an inappropriate locale.
The Incident
In 2016, Fortenberry received $30,000 for his reelection campaign from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire. The funds were disguised through the use of third-party strawmen.
Dodgy Donor
The Washington Post reviewed court documents in which Chagoury is alleged to have donated almost $200,000 to US political candidates. Federal prosecutors claimed that Chagoury sent the money to “politicians from less-populous states because the contribution would be more noticeable to the politician and thereby would promote increased donor access.”
Suspicions Arise
During the FBI’s investigation into Chagoury’s illegal campaign contributions, officials recorded phone conversations, including Fortenberry. In these conversations, the politician was repeatedly warned that the tens of thousands of dollars had come from Chagoury.
Lies Revealed
“After learning of illegal contributions to his campaign,” US attorney Tracy Wilkison stated, Fortenberry “repeatedly chose to conceal the violations of federal law to protect his job, his reputation and his close associates.”
Dangerous Game
“The lies in this case threatened the integrity of the American electoral system,” Wilkison continued, “and were designed to prevent investigators from learning the true source of campaign funds.”
Illicit Meeting
The path between Chagoury and Fortenberry was winding, with the money passing through many hands. Chagoury apparently directed an associate to give the $30,000 to someone at a restaurant where Fortenberry was throwing a campaign event. According to officials, that individual, along with others, then made donations to Fortenberry’s campaign.
Admission of Guilt
In 2019, Chagoury admitted to his criminal campaign donations. He was made to pay a nearly $2 million fine.
Denial of Guilt
Fortenberry, however, maintained his innocence. In early 2022, he published a video on YouTube featuring his wife and pet in which he claims he “didn’t know anything” about the donations.
Sob Story
“I feel so personally betrayed,” Fortenberry said in the video. His lawyers claimed that the congressman was set up by federal agents.
Reversal
While prosecutors interviewed Fortenberry in Nebraska and Washington, DC, the trial was held in Los Angeles. This discrepancy was the reason the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the guilty verdict.
Not Innocent
“Fortenberry’s trial took place in a state where no charged crime was commited,” the court’s decision read. “The Consitution does not permit this. Fortenberry’s convictions are reversed so that he may be retried, if at all, in a proper venue.”
Relief
“We are gratified by the ninth circuit’s decision,” Fortenberry stated. He and his wife expressed their thanks to “everyone who has stood by us and supported us with their kindness and friendship.”
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