Category: Federal Legislator — U.S. Representative (former) Role: Served 2005–2022; Resigned March 31, 2022, after federal criminal conviction; convicted of making false statements to federal investigators about illegal foreign campaign contributions Priority: P3

Basis for Inclusion

Subject Classification: Former Public Official — Resigned March 31, 2022, after federal criminal conviction; convicted of making false statements to federal investigators about illegal foreign campaign contributions Basis for Inclusion: (1) Signed the Texas v. Pennsylvania amicus brief; (2) voted to reject certified Electoral College results from Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6-7, 2021. What Is Not the Basis for Inclusion: Policy positions or party affiliation.

Who Is Jeff Fortenberry?

Jeffrey Lane Fortenberry (born December 28, 1960, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a Republican former U.S. Representative who served Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District from 2005 until March 31, 2022, when he resigned following a federal conviction. He was convicted on three felony counts of making false statements to federal investigators and conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation related to illegal campaign contributions from a Nigerian-born billionaire (United States v. Fortenberry, No. 2:21-cr-00491 (C.D. Cal.), verdict March 24, 2022). He was sentenced to two years of probation. The conviction was subsequently vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in November 2023 on venue grounds — the court held the prosecution was improperly filed in California rather than Nebraska, where Fortenberry made the false statements (United States v. Fortenberry, No. 22-50314 (9th Cir. Nov. 2, 2023)). The Department of Justice did not retry him; as of 2026, no conviction stands.

Documented Actions: 2020 Election

December 11, 2020: Signed Texas v. Pennsylvania Amicus Brief

Jeff Fortenberry signed the amicus brief in Texas v. Pennsylvania, No. 22O155.

Source: Texas v. Pennsylvania, No. 22O155, amicus brief of 126 Representatives.

January 6–7, 2021: Voted to Reject Certified Electoral College Results

Jeff Fortenberry voted YEA on the House objections to Arizona and Pennsylvania’s certified electoral results.

Source: GovTrack.us; Ballotpedia.

Accountability Status

Current status: Resigned March 31, 2022 following conviction (United States v. Fortenberry, No. 2:21-cr-00491 (C.D. Cal.)); conviction subsequently vacated by 9th Circuit November 2023 on venue grounds (No. 22-50314); not retried; no conviction stands as of 2026. Legal exposure: Conviction vacated on appeal; no criminal liability as of 2026

Sources

1. Wikipedia, “Jeff Fortenberry”
2. GovTrack.us
3. Texas v. Pennsylvania, No. 22O155, amicus brief

Last Updated: May 22, 2026 Profile Status: Former member — Resigned March 31, 2022, after federal criminal conviction; convicted of making false statements to federal investigators about illegal foreign campaign contributions