Acts 25:20

And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

This was a misrepresentation. There was no need to inquire any further of charges that had not been proved, were in fact incapable of proof; and Festus' proposal was made solely out of a desire to please his subjects in Jerusalem. His allegation of a different motive when thus discussing the matter with his guests shows that secretly he was ashamed of what he had done.