“GOP Congressman Jeff Fortenberry Found Guilty in Campaign Finance Case”

Deanna Paul in the Wall Street Journal:

A federal jury in Los Angeles on Thursday found Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry guilty of lying to federal investigators in a bid to conceal illegal campaign contributions he received during a 2016 California fundraiser.

Jurors convicted the Republican congressman on three felony counts after about two hours of deliberations. U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld set a sentencing date of June 28.

Prosecutors alleged that Mr. Fortenberry learned that the Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury illegally funneled $30,000 in contributions to his 2016 re-election campaign through straw donors at a Los Angeles fundraiser. But during interviews with federal agents, Mr. Fortenberry repeatedly denied knowledge of Mr. Chagoury’s involvement, prosecutors alleged.

Coverage over at the Omaha World-Herald reminds readers that he still holds his seat in Congress and may continue to seek reelection (unless he chooses to drop his bid).

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