LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released a 27-page opinion reversing former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's conviction "without prejudice to retrial in proper venue," meaning the Congressman can be tried again in Nebraska or Washington, D.C. Fortenberry was charged in 2022 with one count of concealing conduit campaign contributions and two counts of lying to federal agents after it was alleged that he had received an illegal campaign contribution from billionaire Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury in 2016.

Fortenberry was convicted by a federal jury in Los Angeles, with prosecutors arguing that this was an adequate trial location since Fortenberry had received the illegal money in California. However, the 9th Circuit Appeals Judges disagreed with this justification. "Fortenberry's trial took place in a state where no charged crime was committed," their conclusion read, "The Constitution does not permit this. Fortenberry's convictions are reversed so that he may be retired, if at all, in a proper venue."

Fortenberry had received nearly $30,000 from Chagoury during the 2016 fundraiser, but denied any knowledge of such a contribution after being questioned by FBI agents in 2019. After his 2021 indictment, Fortenberry's lawyers fought to move the trial location from California to Nebraska. Fortenberry and his wife, Celeste, praised the court's decision. "We are gratified by the Ninth Circuit Court," they said," Celeste and I would like to thank everyone who has stood by us and supported us with their kindness and friendship."

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