The judge allows the charges to fall with prejudice

Lincoln, Neb. (Nebraska examiner) – A federal judge this week agreed with the Trump administration prosecutors who charges for serious crimes related to the financing of the campaign presented against former Republican representative of Nebraska, Jeff Fortenberry, should be withdrawn with prejudice.

That means that the same positions cannot be presented again.

The federal district judge, Trevor McFadden, signed the order proposed by the Department of Justice on Wednesday night, which had reversed the course under the new administration of President Donald Trump. Trump, a Republican, has publicly complained about Fortenberry’s prosecution, saying he was mistreated.

The investigation of the Department of Justice on Fortenberry funds in 2016 in southern California began under Trump. Prosecutors under the department of justice of former President Joe Biden had obtained a condemnation of Fortenberry for lying to federal agents and trying to hide their knowledge of foreign campaign funds collected illegally in 2016 for their Congress campaign.

But a Federal Court of Appeals Vorbieda the sentence of Fortenberry In 2023, because federal prosecutors had judged him in California, where funds collection took place, but not in Nebraska or Washington, DC, where prosecutors had moved away that Fortenberry lied to the FBI.

Federal prosecutors loaded it again In Washington, DC, in May 2024, claiming that he knew and tried to hide his knowledge of illegal contributions, which Fortenberry still denies. His lawyers have argued, among other things, that he had a bad cell connection during the call with the FBI informant.

Fortenberry was told that the $ 30,000, which had been delivered in a paper capture to an intermediary, was probably illegal. They also told him that Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury was the source of money. Fortenberry had supported the work of the Chagoury group in support of Christians abroad.

Trump issued a statement about Truth Social on Wednesday saying that Fortenberry and his family had suffered because the justice system had been armed against the political opponents of the previous administration. Many legal observers expected the charges to be withdrawn if Trump won the presidency.

Prosecutors previously denied any political motivation and said that a congressman should know better than accepting foreign funds, which cannot be raised for Congress’ careers. They pointed out recordings with an FBI source that, they said, made it clear that Fortenberry knew more than he recognized.

In a statement on Thursday, Fortenberry compared his situation with Trump’s civil and legal criminal fights in several states and said the president “knows better than anyone what false accusations and political persecution mean.”

“The American people gave President Trump a mandate to end witch hunting like these and restoring confidence in our justice system. He has maintained his promises to the United States, in the first days of his presidency, and we are very grateful, “said Fortenberry.” I want to thank everyone who loved and supported my family and me through this terrible experience and with deep gratitude, I thanks to President Trump and his team for ending the government’s weapons against the US people. ”

The judge’s decision closes a chapter for the former congressman of nine periods for the first district of the East Congress of Nebraska. Fortenberry resigned from Congress after being sentenced in 2022. American representative Mike Flaod, R-Neb, replaced it. Some have speculated that Fortentenberry could choose to run again for a position, even perhaps his former seat.

The Fortenberry spokesman did not make immediate comments on the political future of the former congressman.

Nebraska examiner It is part of State Newsroom, a non -profit news network supported by subsidies and a coalition of donors such as a 501c public beneficial organization (3). Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact editor Aaron Sanderford to get questions: [email protected].

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