“Christian Defense” Group At Center Of GOP Rep’s Trial

March 18, 2022 Republicans, Trump cultists

Courthouse News Service reports:

The first day of testimony in U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry’s trial over his alleged concealment of illegal campaign contributions looked at the passion he shared with a Nigerian-born, Parisian-based billionaire for protecting the interests of Christians in the Middle East.

In Defense of Christians, referred to as “The Cause” by its members, is a Washington-based nonprofit, initially bankrolled by Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, who is of Christian-Lebanese descent.

Fortenberry’s connections with In Defense of Christians organized a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles that raised $36,000 for his reelection campaign. However, of that $36,000, $30,000 had come from Chagoury and was donated in the name of straw donors.

Omaha’s ABC News affiliate reports:

The defense argued Fortenberry failed a memory test, and perhaps didn’t even hear that the money came from a foreign source during the phone call because he was either not paying close attention, or because the phone connection was shaky.

But as testimony began, the FBI agent leading the investigation testified Fortenberry was told four times during the phone call about the foreign campaign contribution.

Prosecutors said that instead of asking the fundraiser for more information, or hanging up the phone — Fortenberry would say “no problem” and would ask for another fundraiser.

The Omaha World-Herald reports:

Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry wrote a letter to the clerk of the House of Representatives on Monday, informing the clerk that he would not be attending votes but would vote by proxy. The reason he gave? “The ongoing public health emergency.”

Fortenberry, who represents Nebraska’s 1st District, did not mention in the letter that he is tied up with something else this week and next: a federal trial on three felony counts.

Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the House Minority Leader, today blasted the fact that many members of both parties rarely show up for votes. McCarthy has long been an opponent of proxy voting.

Politico reports:



Outside the courtroom, Fortenberry declined comment when asked about the trial, the first of a sitting member of Congress in 21 years. It could all but end the political career of a congressman seen as a reliable conservative who coasted to easy wins but isn’t a familiar name outside of Nebraska.

Many prominent Nebraska Republicans have already dumped the nine-term incumbent in favor of a young, conservative state lawmaker who wants to oust Fortenberry in the party’s May 10 primary.

State Sen. Mike Flood, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, jumped into the race amid concerns that Fortenberry’s indictment could cost the GOP an otherwise safe seat.

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