The fallout continues after Nebraska 1st District Congressman Jeff Fortenberry was found guilty Thursday of lying to federal authorities about an illegal $30,000 campaign donation from a Nigerian billionaire in 2016.
There is growing pressure for the nine-term congressman to resign.
Nebraska State Senator and Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives District 1, Patty Pansing Brooks stated, “”The people of Nebraska’s First Congressional District deserve active, certain representation. I hope Jeff Fortenberry will do the right thing and resign so his constituents have that certainty while he focuses on his family and other affairs.”
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts released a statement to the Nebraska Examiner Friday that read, “I hope Jeff Fortenberry will do the right thing and resign so his constituents have that certainty while he focuses on his family and other affairs.” Ricketts earlier had endorsed Fortenberry’s top Republican challenger in the Primary Election, State Senator Mike Flood.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement that Fortenberry must resign the House.
House Minority Leader, Republican U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy of California made this statement at a news conference following the verdict: “I think when someone’s convicted, it’s time to resign.”
Nebraska 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon said he would not be making a statement to give Fortenberry time to make some “tough decisions”.
A jury found Fortenberry guilty on three charges Thursday evening, guilty of concealing information and on two counts of making false statements to authorities.
Fortenberry will be sentenced on June 28th.