Fortenberry Co-Sponsors thePublic Trust and Accountability Act
Legislation would eliminate benefits for federal employees, including Members of Congress and the Administration, convicted of white-collar crimes

Washington D.C. - U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today joined Congressman Lee Terry (NE-2) for the introduction of the Public Trust and Accountability Act (PTA Act). Fortenberry issued the following statement:

Illegal profiteering from the public trust is a very serious offense, Fortenberry said. Proven criminals who betray the very people they are entrusted to serve must not benefit from their actions. The Public Trust and Accountability Act helps restore integrity to government institutions.

The bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code that provides for the forfeiture of retirement benefits of government employees (including Members of Congress) convicted of violating national security laws, such as treason. The PTA Act extends these penalties to include so-called white collar crimes, generally viewed as violations of fiduciary duties or public trust, such as bribery, embezzlement, or perjury.

The bill cannot be retroactively applied to any person and would apply to all federal employees, regardless of rank, position, or branch of government.

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