BREAKING News**** At the time of publication, came word that Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, said Saturday, in a letter to Congress, his last day in Congress will be March 31. He told his constituents, “ Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer effectively serve.”
By Caribbean News Global 
USA / St Lucia – Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, convicted on three federal charges in the US District Court in Los Angeles, “Congressman Fortenberry must resign from the House,”: albetin, if toppled by a Nigerian billionaire/Saint Lucian ambassador vested with the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) – then Speaker Pelosi statement resonates “No one is above the law.”
Fortenberry, 61, has served in Congress since 2005. US prosecutors accused Fortenberry of lying to investigators during two interviews in 2019 about $30,000 “in campaign contributions he received in 2016 from Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury.”
However, according to the US Justice Department, when FBI agents quizzed Fortenberry about the campaign contributions he denied being aware of any illegal donations.
The trial was heard in Los Angeles federal court. Each charge carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Fortenberry’s sentencing is scheduled for June 28 before US District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld in Los Angeles.
In a statement issued Friday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated: “Congressman Fortenberry’s conviction represents a breach of the public trust and confidence in his ability to serve. No one is above the law.”
US prosecutors alleged that Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska – donations in question “probably did come from Gilbert Chagoury” but were routed through intermediaries.
Assistant US attorney Mack Jenkins outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced, said: “If we want to expect anyone to follow the law, ultimately it starts with the lawmakers,” adding: “I think that’s even more paramount when the investigation itself goes to election integrity.”
Ҥ30121. Contributions and donations by foreign nationals
(a) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for – (1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make:
(A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election;
(B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a political party; or
(C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication (within the meaning of section 30104(f)(3) of this title); or (2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) from a foreign national. […]”
Foreign nationals are prohibited by federal law from making contributions to political groups or campaigns to influence US elections.
Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, profile reads:
“Friend and confident to presidents, heads of state and business leaders around the world, insider of real-politics and advisor in policy matters and issues of diplomatic sensitivity in West and Central Africa, ambassador Gilbert Ramez Chagoury is a family man at heart.
“Ambassador Chagoury has built a career on acute business acumen with visionary leadership and humble philanthropic service that has made him one of the most highly respected industrialists in the world. But perhaps more than any other single attribute, ambassador Chagoury has demonstrated a dedication to democracy, peace and the cultivation of healthy, thriving economic environments in which the average person can employ his full range of talents to reach his God given potential.”
March 31, 2021, US Department of Justice, in a press release said:
“A Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire has resolved and two of his associates have agreed to resolve a federal investigation that they conspired to violate federal election laws by scheming to make illegal campaign contributions to US presidential and congressional candidates.
“Chagoury, a foreign national prohibited by federal law from contributing to any US elections, admitted he intended these funds to be used to make contributions to these candidates. He further admitted to making illegal conduit contributions – causing campaign contributions to be made in the name of another individual.
“According to a deferred prosecution agreement with the government, Chagoury accepted responsibility for his role and conduct that resulted in violations of federal election contribution laws between June 2012 and March 2016 and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation. Chagoury entered into the agreement on October 19, 2019, and he paid the fine in December 2019. […]”
Open Secrets – Foreign billionaire conspired to violate election law in straw donor scheme by Anna Massoglia, subtitle reads: ‘Straw donor scheme not Chagory’s first brush with controversy’.
Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) – On the occasion of Independence Day 2015, Her Excellency the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the National Societies of Honour, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the National Honours and Awards Act, has been pleased to appoint Gilbert Chagoury with the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC).
“To recognize ambassador Chagoury dedication to St Lucia, the government-appointed him its official representative to the Vatican. He remains to this day ambassador of St Lucia to the Holy See”, according to Chagoury’s profile.
