After being convicted of lying to investigators regarding illegal foreign donations, Republican Representative Jeff Fortenberry has resigned.
Fortenberry, a Lebanese billionaire and Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire who was also accused of conspiracy to give illegal money to Americans, was arrested.
“It has been my honor to serve with you in the United States House of Representatives,” the Nebraska congressman wrote in a letter to his colleagues. “Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer effectively serve.”
Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader, pressured McCarthy to quit.
Fortenberry was found guilty on two counts for making false statements, and one count for falsifying or concealing material facts. Each count could result in a maximum five-year sentence.
He denied the charges, and he indicated that he would pursue an appeal.
BREAKING: U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was convicted by a federal jury of lying to federal officials about a $30,000 donation he received from a foreign millionaire during a Los Angeles fundraising event in 2016. https://t.co/MD9E6s1xke
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 25, 2022
RELATED: Biden Repeats False ‘Fine People On Both Sides’ Claim, Attacking Trump In Front Of NATO Allies
Fortenberry Tried To Thwart Trump
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Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was among a variety of Republicans that voiced opposition to Donald Trump’s election in 2016.
After a leaked hot mic audio comment, In which Trump’s nominee bristled in locker-room style conversation about his exploits in women’s circles, Fortenberry was one of the GOP legislators who wanted to replace him.
“As Americans we are faced with two strikingly bad choices: Donald Trump, who has abused women, and Hillary Clinton who has enabled the abuse of women,” he told the Omaha World-Herald at the time. “It’s all wrong.”
“For my part, I ask that Donald Trump step aside and allow Mike Pence to become the Republican nominee,” added Fortenberry.
Additionally, the Nebraska representative was among 35 Republicans that voted for an independent commission to investigate January 6’s riot. Nancy Pelosi created a biased Select Committee made up of anti-Trump lawmakers.
Congressman Smith votes against, Fortenberry and Bacon vote for Jan. 6 commission https://t.co/ai3YAFiUx8
— KNOP-TV (@KNOPTV) May 21, 2021
“Most Nebraskans desperately want a return to regular, peaceful order in Washington and the rest of America,” Fortenberry said in a statement following his vote.
“I am hopeful that this bipartisan commission helps us do that––by honestly, fairly, and thoroughly investigating the truth of what happened on and before January 6, including the culture of political violence that has plagued this country over the last several years,” he added.
Here is the list of Republicans who are not supporting Trump https://t.co/tNJmDfEihq via @usatoday
— George Tom Settle (@GTSETTLE) March 10, 2021
RELATED: 35 House Republicans vote for Democrat bill to establish 9/11-style January 6-commission
Trump Redefended Him
Strangely, the former president Donald Trump was among those who spoke out in support of Fortenberry in his defense after his indictment.
“Isn’t it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, when half of the United States Congress lied about made-up scams?” Trump asked.
NEW!
Donald J. Trump, President
“Isn’t it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, when half of the United States Congress lied about made up scams, and when… pic.twitter.com/CV3E9bZJaT
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) October 20, 2021
Trump’s comments were focused on many politicians and intelligence officers he believed to have misled him.
“Comey lied, Schiff lied, Crooked Hillary lied, McCabe lied, the two lovers, Peter and Lisa, lied,” Trump railed.
“They all lied having to do with Russia, Russia, Russia, because they knew it was a SCAM, and they all lied having to do with Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine, because they knew it was a SCAM.”
Added Trump, “They made up fairy tales about me knowing how badly it would hurt the U.S.A.—and nothing happens to them.”
“Is there no justice in our Country?”