Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) announced he is resigning from Congress after being convicted of three felonies related to a federal probe of illegal campaign contributions.
His decision, which he announced after he returned to his home state, caps a remarkable political fall and came after top House leaders prodded him to end his nine-term career in the lower chamber following the guilty findings Thursday night by a jury in Los Angeles.
“Due to the difficulties of my current circumstances, I can no longer serve you effectively. I will resign from Congress shortly,” Fortenberry said in a statement.