Court Overturns Conviction of Ex-Rep. Fortenberry on Lying Charges
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A federal appeals court reversed the conviction of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican, on charges he lied to federal authorities about illegal campaign donations.
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Fortenberry was convicted in 2022 for lying about $30,000 in donations that originated from a Nigerian billionaire at a 2016 fundraiser. Foreign citizens cannot donate to U.S. campaigns.
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The appeals court ruled Fortenberry should not have been tried in Los Angeles since he made the false statements to investigators in Nebraska and Washington, D.C.
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The court said Fortenberry could be retried in a proper venue. Prosecutors are evaluating next steps.
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Fortenberry resigned from Congress after his conviction. He was sentenced to 2 years probation and fined $25,000.