Appellate court reverses federal conviction against former Nebraska US Rep. Fortenberry

By STEFANIE DAZIO
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An appellate court has reversed a 2022 federal conviction against former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, ruling that he should not have been tried in Los Angeles. Fortenberry was convicted on charges that he lied to federal authorities about an illegal $30,000 contribution to his campaign from a foreign billionaire at a 2016 Los Angeles fundraiser. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its ruling Tuesday. Fortenberry says he and his wife are gratified by the decision. Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles did not have an immediate comment. The case can be retried.