LINCOLN- Five months after a federal appellate court reversed his convictions for making false statements to FBI agents investigating foreign campaign contributions, former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has yet to face any new charges, with the window to try him soon closing. On March 25th, 2022, Fortenberry was found guilty of concealing conduit campaign contributions and lying to federal agents.

However, because the original trial occurred in Las Angeles, where the contribution was given to Fortenberry, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel overturned Fortenberry's convictions and argued that he should have instead been tried in Nebraska. "Fortenberry's conditions are reversed so that he may be retired, if at all, in a proper venue," wrote Judge James Donato.

While the statute of limitations to charge Fortenberry in Nebraska has yet to run out, just two and a half months remain before prosecutors would be barred from going forward. According to Lecia Wright of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Nebraska, any prosecution in their office must begin with a referral from a law enforcement agency.

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