Jeffrey Lane Fortenberry aka Jeff Fortenberry is an American Politician and economist serving as the U.S. representative for Nebraska’s 1st congressional district since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, his district is based in Lincoln and includes most of the eastern third of the state outside the immediate Omaha area.
Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is found guilty in contributions probe
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., was found guilty on Thursday of lying to the FBI about an unlawful campaign gift from a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman in 2016.
Fortenberry, who is serving his ninth term, was found guilty of one count of conspiring to falsify and hide material facts and two counts of providing false statements to federal investigators by a federal jury in Los Angeles. Each count is punishable by up to five years in jail as well as fines.
Outside the courthouse, he informed reporters that he will file an appeal.
In October, Fortenberry, a member of the Appropriations Committee, was charged with lying to the FBI over a $30,000 gift from Nigerian Gilbert Chagoury to his 2016 re-election campaign. Contributions to federal candidates in US elections are forbidden for foreign nationals.
During a Los Angeles fundraiser in 2016, prosecutors claimed Chagoury used “straw donors” to make $30,000 in contributions to Fortenberry’s re-election campaign.
Chagoury
In 2019, Chagoury settled into a deferred prosecution arrangement with the US attorney’s office and admitted to contributing $180,000 in illicit campaign contributions to four candidates in the US election. During Fortenberry’s seven-day trial, prosecutors successfully established that he lied to investigators on two occasions when asked what he knew about the unlawful donation in interviews.
In addition, Fortenberry, 61, did not file an amended report with the Federal Election Commission.” After knowing of illicit campaign contributions, the congressman repeatedly chose to hide the violations of federal law to protect his position, his reputation, and his close connections,” said U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison in a statement released on Thursday. “In this case, the lies were intended to prevent investigators from knowing the genuine source of campaign donations, endangering the integrity of the American political system.”
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Before returning the guilty verdicts, the jury deliberated for almost two hours.
When he spoke with investigators in March 2019, after learning about the illegal gift, Fortenberry falsely claimed he was unaware that one of Chagoury’s ties, Toufic Joseph Baaklini, was involved in it, according to prosecutors. They further alleged that Fortenberry indicated that all donations at the 2016 fundraiser were publicly declared and that he was unaware of any foreign national contributions.
Fortenberry Denied
Prosecutors said Fortenberry denied knowledge of any illegal donations made during the 2016 fundraiser and that he had been told Baaklini provided $30,000 in cash during the fundraiser in a second interview two months later.
Fortenberry’s sentence has been set for June 28. It’s unknown whether Fortenberry will stay in Congress or what consequences he would face if he doesn’t. Fortenberry’s office has been contacted for comment by NBC News.
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Fortenberry is up for re-election in the Republican primary in May, and he is up against five opponents, including state Sen. Mike Flood, who is widely regarded as the strongest candidate. Flood has made Fortenberry’s legal problems a point of contention in his congressional campaign.
Fortenberry was initially elected in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District in 2004 and has won re-election in the traditionally red state several times since then. In 2020, he won 59 percent of the vote over his Democratic opponent.
Jeff Fortenberry Age, Family, and Early Life
Jeff Fortenberry was born on 27th December 1960 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. His father’s name is Luther Sexton Fortenberry Jr. As for his mother’s info is not available.
He Holds the nationality of American and belongs to White ethnicity. His Zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Jeff Fortenberry Career, What is his profession?
He is a famous and professional American politician and economist. Since 2005, He is serving as the U.S. representative for Nebraska’s 1st congressional district. Jeff is the dean of Nebraska’s congressional delegation. He began his career at a very young age. In October 2021, a federal grand jury convicted Jeff of lying to investigators.
He was convicted of all three counts of making false statements to investigators and concealing information about his campaign donations on 24 March 2022. From 1997 to 2001, He was an at-large member of the Lincoln City Council. He is a very talented person.
Which school and college did he go to?
Furthermore, on his schooling, He did his education at Louisiana State University, Georgetown University, and Franciscan University.
Jeff Fortenberry’s Net Worth, How much does he earn?
Jeff Fortenberry’s net worth is estimated between $10- $20 million.
Jeff Fortenberry Wife, What about his relationship?
According to Social Media reports, his marital status is married. His Wife’s name is Celeste Fortenberry.
And they have five beautiful children Elizabeth Fortenberry, Christine Fortenberry, Claire Fortenberry, Kathryn Fortenberry, Caroline Fortenberry.
Is he available on any social media platforms?
He is available on Instagram as @repjefffortenberry with 1,305+ followers and also available on Twitter as @JeffFortenberry with 25.5K+ Followers. He is active on Facebook as Jeff Fortenberry with 1k+ followers.
Physical Appearance of Jeff Fortenberry’s Height, Weight
| Height | Feet: N / A Meter: N / A Centimetre: N / A |
| Weight | Kilogram: N / A Pounds: N / A |
| Hair Colour | White |
| Eye Colour | Hazel |
| Body type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Interesting facts about Jeff Fortenberry’s should be knows
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | N / A |
| Net Worth | N / A |
| Single/ In a relationship | Married |
| Current Spouse | Celeste Fortenberry |
| Children | 5 |
