Nebraska congressman faces high-stakes trial in California
OMAHA, Neb. — A little-known Republican congressman from Nebraska will begin a high-profile trial Wednesday in California over accusations by federal prosecutors that he lied about illegal campaign contributions from a Nigerian billionaire.
The trial of U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in Los Angeles will be the first of a sitting member of Congress in 21 years and could all but end the political career of a congressman seen as a reliable conservative who coasted to easy wins but isn’t a familiar name outside of Nebraska.
Fortenberry, who is running for reelection, took a big political hit when prosecutors announced the charges, and his indictment has already divided Nebraska Republicans who backed him for years.
“You have people on both sides,” said Philip Young, a longtime Republican campaign and public relations consultant in Lincoln. “If he’s acquitted, that probably makes the decision tougher for a lot of Republicans. If he’s convicted, it’s much more of an uphill climb for him politically.”
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/california/story/2022-03-15/nebraska-congressman-faces-high-stakes-trial-in-california
I'm not so sure it's that much of an uphill climb politically if he's convicted. He's a Nebraska Republican, after all.
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