Jeff Fortenberry, a lawmaker in the United States House of Representatives, resigned from his position after a California jury convicted him of lying to federal authorities about an illegal campaign donation from a foreign national. His resignation will be effective from March 31, 2022, according to a letter he sent to Congress.

“It has been my honor to serve with you in the United States House of Representatives,” the 61-year-old said in the letter. “Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer effectively serve.”

Who is Jeff Fortenberry?

Before running for the United States Congress, Fortenberry worked as a publishing industry executive in Lincoln, according to the lawmaker’s official website. He also served on the Lincoln City Council for one term (1997-2001). Fortenberry, a member of the Republican party, served as a lawmaker from the 1st Congressional district in Nebraska.

He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for the expenditures of the United States government. He serves as a ranking member on the House Agriculture Subcommittee and is a member of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee. In Congress, Jeff serves as co-chair of the Nuclear Security Working Group and co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus, his website reads.

Fortenberry has “significant personal experience” in areas like economic development, small business management and public policy analysis. His academic accolades include one bachelor’s degree (in economics) and two master’s degrees (one of them being in public policy).

Fortenberry was indicted in October after authorities said he lied to FBI agents in two separate interviews about his knowledge of an illegal $30,000 contribution from his campaign from a foreign billionaire. Fortenberry was interviewed at his home in Lincoln, and then again with his lawyers present in Washington, D.C, according to reports from Associated Press.

At trial, prosecutors presented recorded phone conversations in which Fortenberry was repeatedly warned that the contributions came from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent. The donations were funneled through three strawmen at a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles.