Congressman says he expects to be indicted

Congressman says he expects to be indicted

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Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) told supporters on Tuesday he expects to be indicted on allegations he lied to federal investigators.

Driving the news: In a video uploaded to YouTube, the congressman sat with his wife and dog in a vintage pickup truck as he announced federal prosecutors in California “accused me of lying, and are charging me with this.”

  • “We will fight these charges. I did not lie to them,” Fortenberry added.
  • A spokesperson referred to the video when Axios called for comment.

The backstory: Fortenberry was one of a number of congressional Republicans who received what authorities said were illegal contributions in 2016 from a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire.

  • He said in his video that FBI agents approached him in 2019 to ask about the donations, and that he ended up sitting for multiple interviews.
  • “I feel so personally betrayed. I thought we were trying to help,” Fortenberry said of his conversations with investigators.

Catch up quick: Axios reported this month that Fortenberry was soliciting funds for a new legal defense fund with warnings he was under FBI investigation.

  • He’s hired attorneys with Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP, according to campaign finance disclosure forms. The firm is based in California, where Fortenberry said he is being charged.
  • His campaign sent an email Tuesday morning alerting supporters to the impending indictment.
  • “This has all the marks of being a political attack, a bogus charge manufactured to take him out,” it said.

Sign up for our daily briefingMake your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what’s new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.Catch up on the day’s biggest business storiesSubscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matterStay on top of the latest market trendsSubscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.Sports news worthy of your timeBinge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.Tech news worthy of your timeGet our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.Get the inside storiesGet an insider’s guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everydayCatch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everydayWant a daily digest of the top Denver news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios DenverWant a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des MoinesWant a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin CitiesWant a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa BayWant a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios CharlotteWant a daily digest of the top Nashville news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Nashville newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Columbus news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Columbus newsletter.Want a daily digest of the top Dallas news?Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Dallas newsletter.Sign up for Axios NW ArkansasStay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reportersRep. Jeff Fortenberry. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesRep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) told supporters on Tuesday he expects to be indicted on allegations he lied to federal investigators.Driving the news: In a video uploaded to YouTube, the congressman sat with his wife and dog in a vintage pickup truck as he announced federal prosecutors in California “accused me of lying, and are charging me with this.””We will fight these charges. I did not lie to them,” Fortenberry added.A spokesperson referred to the video when Axios called for comment.The backstory: Fortenberry was one of a number of congressional Republicans who received what authorities said were illegal contributions in 2016 from a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire.He said in his video that FBI agents approached him in 2019 to ask about the donations, and that he ended up sitting for multiple interviews.”I feel so personally betrayed. I thought we were trying to help,” Fortenberry said of his conversations with investigators.Catch up quick: Axios reported this month that Fortenberry was soliciting funds for a new legal defense fund with warnings he was under FBI investigation.He’s hired attorneys with Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP, according to campaign finance disclosure forms. The firm is based in California, where Fortenberry said he is being charged.His campaign sent an email Tuesday morning alerting supporters to the impending indictment.”This has all the marks of being a political attack, a bogus charge manufactured to take him out,” it said.

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