Manhattan District Attorney Alleges Scheme to Defraud Supporters
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is scheduled to stand trial in December on charges that he misled donors to a private crowdfunding campaign aimed at building a wall along the US-Mexico border.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges that Bannon and three associates orchestrated a scheme to solicit donations under false pretenses, promising that all funds would go towards construction of the wall. However, prosecutors claim that a substantial portion of the money was diverted to Bannon and his co-defendants.
The Allegations
According to the indictment, Bannon and his associates promoted the We Build the Wall campaign as a non-profit organization dedicated to completing the border wall that then-President Trump had pledged to build. However, the prosecutors allege that the defendants used shell companies and deceptive accounting practices to conceal the true destination of the funds.
- Bannon is charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit a scheme to defraud.
- His co-defendants, Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea, face similar charges.
The Defense
Bannon’s attorneys have dismissed the charges as politically motivated and have vowed to vigorously defend their client. They argue that the We Build the Wall campaign was a legitimate non-profit organization and that the funds were used for their intended purpose.
The trial is set to begin on December 5th, 2023, in Manhattan Supreme Court.
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Dr. R. Hamilton
