LINCOLN - A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry blasted federal prosecutors, saying they had "crossed a line" by not revealing "the whole truth" about why the congressman had not returned illegal campaign contributions that originated from a Nigerian billionaire.

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors posited that Fortenberry failed to turn over the contributions despite being told they were illegal in a 2018 phone call. Instead, he asked the organizer of the 2016 fundraiser to host another fundraiser in 2018 during his re-election year.

During this 2018 call, Fortenberry was unaware that the fundraiser organizer had been working with the FBI and the call was recording. Fortenberry did not express concern or surprise upon hearing that the funds came from illegal foreign cash; he proceeded to request another fundraiser despite the information.

However, Fortenberry's spokesman Chad Kolton said that federal authorities told them not to return the funds due to possibly interfering with their investigation.

"Rep. Fortenberry agreed to help prosecutors and the FBI, as he did at every stage of this investigation, by following their directions" which "crossed a line when they intentionally distorted key facts to present a misleading narrative to the judge," said Kolton.

The initial federal investigation of Chagoury began in 2015 due to his potential influence over American elected officials as a result of the foreign national's donations.

Chagoury, it ultimately was discovered, contributed $180,000 in conduit contributions to four elected officials, including Fortenberry and former U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., and provided a $50,000 loan to the then-U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Chagoury, who lives in Paris, agreed to cooperate with FBI investigators and pay a $1.8 million fine in connection with the gifts. Two of his associates also were fined.

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