A federal judge has denied former Nebraska Representative Jeff Fortenberry’s request to delay his February trial, which involves charges of lying to federal agents about foreign campaign contributions. Judge Trevor N. McFadden rejected the motion, stating in the court docket that the decision was made “without prejudice,” allowing the defense to file a similar motion if both sides later agree to a continuance.
Fortenberry’s attorney, Tobin Romero, had requested a two-month delay, arguing that new leadership in the Department of Justice could potentially reconsider the decision to retry Fortenberry, saving time and resources. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Visser opposed the motion, citing no legitimate legal grounds under the Speedy Trial Act. Visser also compared the request to similar delays denied in cases related to the January 6 Capitol attack, noting those had stronger arguments for potential future pardons.
In 2022, a Los Angeles jury convicted Fortenberry of one count of concealing conduit campaign contributions and two counts of lying to federal agents. The charges stemmed from $30,000 in illegal foreign contributions from Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury at a 2016 fundraiser. Fortenberry later donated the money to charity upon learning it was illegal for U.S. officials to accept foreign funds. He resigned from Congress a week after his conviction, which was overturned on appeal due to jurisdictional issues.
In May 2024, a Washington grand jury indicted Fortenberry on charges of falsifying and concealing material facts and making false statements related to a 2019 interview with federal agents at his attorney’s office in Washington. Fortenberry denies the charges, and his trial is scheduled to begin on February 3, 2025.
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