Statement Regarding the Investigative Subcommittee in the Matter of Representative Jeff Fortenberry
Pursuant to Committee Rule 7, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined to release the following statement regarding the Investigative Subcommittee in the Matter of Representative Jeff Fortenberry:
On October 19, 2021, criminal charges against Representative Jeff Fortenberry were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On November 17, 2021, in accordance with House Rule XI, clause 3, and Committee Rules 10(a)(2) and 18(e)(2), the Committee unanimously voted to establish an Investigative Subcommittee with jurisdiction to determine whether: Representative Fortenberry’s 2016 congressional campaign may have accepted illegal contributions; and Representative Fortenberry engaged in a scheme to falsify and conceal material facts and/or made false statements, during a federal investigation into his campaign committee’s alleged acceptance of illegal campaign contributions. The Department of Justice asked the Committee to defer consideration of the matters in the Investigative Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. The Committee, following precedent, unanimously recommended to the Investigative Subcommittee that it defer action on its investigation at that time.
On March 24, 2022, Representative Fortenberry was convicted of one count of engaging in a scheme to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements following a jury trial.
The House received Representative Fortenberry’s notice of resignation on March 26, 2022, effective at the close of business on March 31, 2022. As a consequence, the Investigative Subcommittee and the Committee no longer have jurisdiction over him. The Committee considers this matter closed.
No other public statement will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.
###