Fortenberry said after the conviction that it was important to Nebraska. Fortenberry read a text from one of his daughters who was out of state. He said his phone was going off with beautiful messages and he called his wife.
She said she loved you, Daddy, no matter what anyone said. Fortenberry read the text from his daughter and said, "Just remember so many other people do too." I'm getting beautiful messages from people all around the world, praying for us and pulling for us.
Fortenberry lied to investigators when he denied knowing that Gilbert Chagoury, a wealthy businessman who lives in France, donated $30,000 to his campaign through a middleman.
Fortenberry's defense argued that he might have been distracted or had a poor phone connection when Ayoub told him about the source of the funds. The congressman did not defend himself.
The FBI's commitment to holding elected officials accountable is highlighted by today's conviction, according to the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
On his behalf, a Democratic colleague of Fortenberry testified that he was honest and honorable.
Ayoub was already working with the FBI when he made the call. The FBI asked Ayoub to record the conversation with Fortenberry.
FBI agents secretly videotaped Fortenberry as they questioned him about his knowledge of the fundraising. He denied knowing anything about foreign money or straw donations, but said Ayoub said something that made him cut the conversations short.
Fortenberry and his attorney met with the FBI and federal prosecutors in Washington about three months later. Prosecutors said Fortenberry repeated the same denials.
At the trial, he testified about his interactions with prosecutors.
Fortenberry's defense said that the prosecution's tactics in the case amounted to generating a crime by having an Informant tell the congressman something and then testing him to see if he denied it. The tactics were used to determine if Fortenberry had independent knowledge of the source of the funds.
Fortenberry said on Thursday that it was going to be hard to have a fair process here.
Fortenberry was indicted on charges of scheming to deceive federal agencies and making false statements.
He wasn't charged with violating campaign finance laws or knowing about foreign donations at the time of the 2016 campaign.
The case was not moved from Los Angeles to Nebraska.
Chagoury and the people who acted as straw donors advocated with Fortenberry on behalf of Christian minorities in the Middle East.
Chagoury, who is not a U.S. citizen, agreed to pay a $1.8 million penalty for making donations to several U.S. candidates. If he abides by the deal, he will avoid further punishment.
Ayoub cooperated with prosecutors and was not charged.
Fortenberry is the first member of Congress to be convicted while in office.
The end of Fortenberry's political career could be marked by his conviction. Even though he has little name recognition outside of his state, a congressman with little name recognition outside of his state can still run for and serve in Congress as a felon.
When asked if he was continuing his campaign, Fortenberry said that they were going to spend some time as a family.
Fortenberry was allowed to remain on release until his sentencing on June 28, the AP reported. Criminal defendants in federal court can't appeal until they are sentenced.
In a video filmed in his truck, Fortenberry announced his plans to run for reelection. He didn't acknowledge his ongoing legal battle, which divided Nebraska Republicans and damaged his reputation in the state.
After years of reliable reelections, many of Nebraska's prominent Republicans have moved their support to state Sen. Mike Flood, who jumped into the race in the state's 1st Congressional District.
The district includes a stretch of rural eastern Nebraska. The Democratic nomination for the district is likely to be won by state Sen. Patty PansingBrooks.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
