LINCOLN - Federal prosecutors have turned over more than 11,600 pages of documents and more than 50 audio and video recordings to lawyers defending U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry from allegations that he lied and misled federal investigators.

The revelation, contained in a court filing this week, prompted the Republican congressman's attorneys to seek a two-month delay in the trial to provide more time to review the evidence. The request, which was granted, means the trial will now begin on February 15th, 2022.

Fortenberry, 60, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury on three charges: two counts of making false statements to investigators, and one count of concealing material facts. If found guilty, the congressman — who has represented Nebraska's 1st District since 2005 — would face up to five years in prison on each count.

The allegations stem from a federal investigation into $180,000 of illegal "conduit" campaign contributions given to four American candidates by a foreign national, Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian-born billionaire now living in Paris. Fortenberry received $30,200 from a group of Los Angeles residents at a fundraiser there in 2016. The money was provided by Chagoury, through at least two go-betweens.

Fortenberry faces reelection in 2022 and has a campaign staff working on the race. One Democrat, State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, has indicated that she will run for the post and has planned an announcement for Monday in Lincoln.

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