U.S. Rep. Fortenberry convicted of lying about illegal campaign donation

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., on Thursday was found guilty of lying to the federal authorities about an illegal campaign contribution made from a foreign billionaire in 2016. 

The federal jury convicted Fortenberry on three counts: two of making false statements and one of concealing and falsifying material information, The Associated Press reported.

Fortenberry could face five years in prison for each count, in addition to fines.

Prosecutors accused Fortenberry of accepting $30,000 at a Los Angeles fundraiser from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian-born billionaire of Lebanese descent, the AP stated.

The representative told to FBI agents in 2019 that he did not receive any money from foreign nationals. He pleaded not guilty after the Department of Justice indicted him in October.

Chagoury, who lives in Paris, admitted in 2019 that he illegally funneled $180,000 to four campaigns. The billionaire agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine, the AP reported.

Felons are not disqualified from running for and serving in Congress.

Fortenberry, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2005, is campaigning for reelection this fall.