Fortenberry Trial Likely Delayed A Month By COVID

     Federal prosecutors have asked for a month’s delay in the trial of Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry on charges of misleading authorities investigating illegal campaign contributions by a foreign national in 2016.

      Fortenberry’s trial is scheduled to start in 2 weeks in U-S District Court in Los Angeles, but prosecutors filed a motion last week asking for a postponement to March 15 because of COVID-19.

       Jury trials are currently suspended in California, but the spread of the Omicron variant is slowing and prosecutors are confident juries will be back in action by mid-March.

      Fortenberry’s attorneys, who recently asked the judge to move the trial to Nebraska because of the jury situation, say they don’t have a conflict with the proposed March 15 date. 

      Fortenberry is running for a 10th term in the House, but fear that his legal troubles could cost Republicans his seat prompted broadcast executive and State Senator Mike Flood of Norfolk to enter the GOP primary against him.