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Look at who’s who in 1st District congressman’s campaign finance case.
A federal judge has denied a defense motion seeking to move U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s case from California to Nebraska.
His trial now is set to start March 15.
Attorneys for the longtime congressman are expected to argue at trial that the investigation was a “political witch hunt.”
A grand jury in Los Angeles indicted him in October on allegations he lied to federal agents investigating an illegal campaign contribution at a 2016 fundraiser in California.
Fortenberry
Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty to two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in “conduit” political contributions.
His trial initially had been set to start Tuesday, but last month, jury trials were suspended in the Los Angeles area, where the case is being tried, because of COVID-19. They resume next week.
At a hearing Friday, defense attorney John Littrell made it clear Fortenberry’s attorneys wanted a trial as soon as possible, but also argued that the case should be moved to federal court in Nebraska.
At the hearing, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. seemed unconvinced that it ultimately would result in a quicker trial, given that a new judge would have to get up to speed on all the motions he’s already heard.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Har called it “forum shopping.”
Blumenfeld already has rejected a number of other defense challenges to the charges, including an effort to get the indictment dismissed because it wasn’t filed in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where the statements were made, and to disqualify one of the prosecuting attorneys.
But he has yet to rule on a flurry that followed.
The case stems from an investigation that started in 2015 and focused on a Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury, who financially supported prominent members of both political parties.
Chagoury is said to have directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East.
But it is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.
Attorneys are set to meet with the judge again later this week.
1st District Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks with more than 200 constituents during a town hall meeting at Southeast Community College on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011. The nation’s debt was the most popular topic of the evening. (BRYNN ANDERSON / Lincoln Journal Star)
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during a Memorial Day event honoring military veterans in 2012 at Antelope Park.
First District candidate for Congress Jeff Fortenberry (right) speaks to members of the media during a news conference in 2004 at the Fremont Municipal Airport. Supporting at the press conference were Congressmen Tom Osborne and Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.
ASHLAND, NE – 08/16/2012 – Sen. Ben Nelson humors Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (second from left) as he opens his remarks during the 2012 Legislative Summit at the Strategic Air & Space Museum. Congressional report speakers were (L-R) Congressman Adrian Smith, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Congressman Lee Terry, Sen. Mike Johanns, and Sen. Ben Nelson. ROBERT BECKER/Lincoln Journal Star 8/17/2012 2A Sen. Ben Nelson humors Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (second from left) as he opens his remarks during the 2012 Legislative Summit at the Strategic Air & Space Museum on Thursday. Congressional report speakers were (from left) Rep. Adrian Smith, Fortenberry, Rep. Lee Terry, Sen. Mike Johanns and Nelson. ROBERT BECKER/LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR
Republicans Gov. Mike Johanns (left) and Sen. Chuck Hagel join Jeff Fortenberry at the Cornhusker Hotel Tuesday night. Fortenberry thanked them for lending their “good names,” to his campaign.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry walks into the Kolac Korner in Prague on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2013, for a reception to welcome Petr Gandalovic, the Czech ambassador to the United States.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (from left) Republican Senate nominee Ben Sasse and Gov. Dave Heineman share a laugh at Sasse’s Election Night party Tuesday at the Grand Manse.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-1st Dist., speaks at a Memorial Day service at Wyuka Cemetery.
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (left) and Gov. Dave Heineman tour damage in downtown Pilger with Fire Chief Kory Koehlmoos after the tornadoes.
LINCOLN, NEB – 08/08/2014 – Widow Liz Prange receives a hug from Congressman Jeff Fortenberry following the funeral service for her husband, United States Army Staff Sergeant Benjamin G. Prange, on Friday outside Southwood Lutheran Church.
Military historian Timothy Kilvert-Jones (left), U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (center) and Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President K.C. Belitz visit the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial, which includes a full-size replica of Higgins’ landing craft, on Tuesday in Columbus.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (left) speaks to Pete Ricketts’ supporters as his wife, Celeste, looks on prior to Ricketts’ appearance on Tuesday at The Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln. Fortenberry told the crowd to enjoy the GOP’s wins. Winning is wonderful, he said. “But it’s not enough. We have to govern.”
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (right) talks with U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan D. Murrell (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Anthony E. Fey on Friday during a visit to the military recruitment center on North 27th Street.
Congressmen Adrian Smith (from left), Brad Ashford and Jeff Fortenberry joined Gov. Pete Ricketts to answer questions about a task force formed to push for runway repairs at Offutt Air Force Base.
LINCOLN, NEB – 11/08/2016 Congressman Jeff Fortenberry smiles for a picture with supporters Sydney Langness (from left), Joyce Hasselbalch, Karen Lay, Myre Meints and Donna McClain, all of Lincoln, during the Lancaster Republican Party’s election night event on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at Chez Hay Reception Hall. MATT RYERSON, Journal Star
Laila Khoudeida, board member and secretary for the global Yazidi group Yazda, speaks with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry during a tour of the newly opened Yazidi Cultural Center on Friday.
Lincoln Police Officer Christopher Milisits keeps an eye on the crowd as Rep. Jeff Fortenberry answers questions during a town hall meeting with constituents at Lincoln Southwest High School.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks as police monitor the crowd at Schoo Middle School.
LINCOLN, NEB – 07/31/2017 Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks at a town hall meeting on Monday, July 31, 2017 at Lux Middle School. AMBER BAESLER, Journal Star
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (left) takes a question during a town hall meeting amid hundreds of constituents on Monday, March 13, 2017, at Lincoln Southwest High School.
Lincoln, NE – 7/27/2018 – Rep. Jeff Fortenberry listens to a question at a town hall meeting on Friday, July 27, 2018, at Schoo Middle School. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry hugs one of his daughters while speaking at an election party in Lincoln Tuesday.
U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry and his wife Celeste are presented during the “Grand March” on Saturday Jan. 12th, 2019, for the 2019 Inaugural Ball at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
1st District Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks at a town hall meeting in August 2019 at Lincoln North Star High School. Fortenberry, a Republican, had $1.9 million in campaign cash on hand in April to face Democratic challenger Kate Bolz.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (from left), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Sen. Deb Fischer listen to remarks during an unveiling ceremony of a statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in Statuary Hall in September.
Jeff Fortenberry (third from left) watches as President Trump signs The Great American Outdoors Act on Tuesday.
Gov. Pete Ricketts (right) defended Rep. Jeff Fortenberry on Monday, describing him as “a man of high integrity.” The two Republicans are shown here at a meeting in September 2020 with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who visited Great Plains Beef in Lincoln.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks at an event to celebrate the progress made on construction of the Lincoln South Beltway on Oct. 8.
U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry listens as President Donald Trump speaks at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Tuesday. President Trump spoke as part of a Make America Great Again! campaign rally.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry introduces his wife Celeste during the Lancaster County Republican election watch party on Tuesday at the Embassy Suites.
LINCOLN, NEB. – 11/03/2020 – Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during Lancaster County Republican election watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Embassy Suites. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks to anti-abortion advocates near the north steps of the state Capitol during the Walk for Life in January.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during the Republican watch party on May 4.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry meets with with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (left) and Sen. Deb Fischer converse at the Federal Legislative Summit on Aug. 12 at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum.
Rep. Adrian Smith (left) and Sen. Deb Fischer (right) listen as Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks at the Federal Legislative Summit on Thursday at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (right) talks to Tom Henning, Chairman, President and CEO at Assurity Life, during a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce lunch on Tuesday. Fortenberry talked to business leaders about the important issues facing Nebraskans at the federal level and the impact in Lincoln.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry laughs at a comment from one of his fellow diners during a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce lunch on Tuesday. He spoke about the important issues facing Nebraskans at the federal level and how those issues impact businesses in Lincoln.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry talks to diners during a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce lunch to discuss the important issues facing Nebraskans at the federal level on Oct. 5 at the Country Club of Lincoln.
U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry speaks during a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce lunch Tuesday at the Country Club of Lincoln. He talked to business leaders about the important issues facing Nebraskans at the federal level and the impact in Lincoln.
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