(PatriotWise.com)- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, a Republican, resigned from Congress on Thursday after being found guilty of lying to the Department of Justice during an investigation into foreign money provided to his campaign fund.
Fortenberry wrote in a brief resignation letter that it has his “honor” to serve in the United States House of Representatives.
“Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer effectively serve, “ said the disgraced congressman.
The Department of Justice wrote-
“U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry, who represents Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, was found guilty by a federal jury this evening of concealing information and making false statements to federal authorities who were investigating illegal contributions made by a foreign national to the congressman’s 2016 re-election campaign.”
In a recorded 2018 call with Fortenberry, Dr. Elias Ayoub, who hosted the congressman in Los Angeles in 2016, said that he provided $30,000 to friends and family who attended the fundraiser so they could send contributions to Fortenberry’s campaign. Ayoub had been working with the FBI throughout the call.
Ayoub believes the funds originated from Gilbert Chagoury, a foreigner who admitted funneling $180,000 in illicit political contributions to four candidates in 2019 and agreed to pay a $1.8 million punishment.
Fortenberry subsequently told the FBI that he didn’t receive any overseas donations or so-called conduit contributions, in which money was passed to straw contributors, unaware that the call was being recorded.
“Fortenberry, 61, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who has served in Congress since 2005, was found guilty of one count of conspiring to falsify and hide material facts and two counts of lying to federal investigators,” the DOJ said. A maximum term of five years is imposed on each conviction.
In an email, Fortenberry thanked his constituents for “entrusting me with the great responsibility of governing our nation,” an odd sentiment considering he couldn’t be trusted.
“When I first ran for Congress, I said that I would focus on our national security, economic security, and family security. It is my sincerest hope that I have made a contribution to the betterment of America, and the wellbeing of our great state of Nebraska. Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer serve you effectively,” said Fortenberry.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urged the compromised Fortenberry to resign.
He did.
