Federal judge denies Fortenberry’s motions to dismiss case

The trial will now move forward.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – UPDATE: Chad Kolton, a spokesman for Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s campaign has released a statement after today’s ruling:

“This case still has enormous flaws, which have existed from the earliest days of the investigation and remain even after today’s decision. Mr. Fortenberry has always had great faith in the American people’s ability to judge what is fair and just. Nebraskans will see this case clearly for what it is: a California prosecutor’s attempt to use deceptive investigative tactics to set up a widely-respected Member of Congress.” 

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A federal judge has denied Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s motions to dismiss charges against him, the trial will now move forward.

The court’s decision to deny the defendant’s motions came on Monday. According to court documents, the federal judge denied all of the defendant’s motions to dismiss the case.

The motions to dismiss the case included a lack of venue, motion to dismiss this case for failure to allege materiality, motion to dismiss Count One for failure to state an offense, motion to dismiss Count One as multiplicitous and motion to disqualify AUSA Jenkins.

The FBI alleges that Fortenberry lied to federal agents who investigated illegal contributions to his campaign.

Fortenberry’s charges include one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators looking into illegal contributions to his 2016 campaign. Fortenberry pleaded not guilty to the charges on October 2o.