GOP Congressman From Nebraska Jeff Fortenberry Indicted For Allegedly Lying To FBI
A federal grand jury has indicted GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry accusing him of lying to the FBI in 2019 during an investigation into illegal contributions made to his 2016 campaign.
The US Attorney in Los Angeles said on Twitter: “Federal grand jury indictment charges U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry with one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators looking into illegal contributions to his 2016 campaign.”
Thom Mrozek, Director of Media Relations for United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, said: “Fortenberry, 60, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was named in an indictment that charges him with one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.
“The indictment alleges that Fortenberry repeatedly lied to and misled authorities during a federal investigation into illegal contributions to Fortenberry’s re-election campaign made by a foreign billionaire in early 2016.
“Gilbert Chagoury, a foreign national prohibited by federal law from contributing to any U.S. elections, arranged for $30,000 of his money to be contributed through other individuals (conduits) to Fortenberry’s campaign during a fundraiser held in Los Angeles, according to the indictment.
“It is illegal for foreign nationals to make contributions to a federal campaign. It also is illegal for the true source of campaign contributions to be disguised by funneling the money through third-party conduits.
“And it is illegal for a federal candidate to knowingly receive foreign or conduit contributions. Chagoury entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office in 2019 in which he admitted providing approximately $180,000 that was used to make illegal contributions to four different political candidates in U.S. elections. Chagoury also agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine and cooperate with federal authorities,” he said.
Fortenberry is vowing to fight the charges insisting he did nothing wrong, but he may learn the hard way never to talk to the Feds or cops unless you have a lawyer present because when they can’t get you on what they want, they get you with lying. Then they try to squeeze.
“To be accused of this is extremely painful and we are suffering greatly,” said Fortenberry.
Reporter Kyle Cheney broke down the case. He said: “DOJ case seems straightforward:
1) A witness to illegal campaign contributions began cooperating with the FBI in 2016.
2) The witness “repeatedly” told Fortenberry he had gotten illegal donations.
3) Fortenberry didn’t do anything about it.
4) Then he lied to FBI about it.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) announced in a video below he posted on social media that he was going to be indicted by the FBI in charges that he lied to them hours before the indictment came down.
DOJ case seems straightforward:
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) October 19, 2021
1) A witness to illegal campaign contributions began cooperating with the FBI in 2016.
2) The witness "repeatedly" told Fortenberry he had gotten illegal donations.
3) Fortenberry didn't do anything about it.
4) Then he lied to FBI about it.
NEW: A federal grand jury has indicted Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. Among the charges — allegations he lied to the FBI in 2019 during an investigation into illegal contributions made to his 2016 campaign. pic.twitter.com/JrkM7NQalE
— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) October 19, 2021