Steve Bannon has been given a May 2024 trial date for his role in a fundraiser to build a wall on the US southern border.
During a brief court hearing Thursday, a New York judge said called The trial would take place on May 27 next year. As Banon left the courthousehe told reporters, “See you back here in May.”
prosecutors assert that Bannon, who served as former President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, and other donors cheated when they launched a fundraiser as part of an organization called We Build the Wall in late 2018.
The fundraiser, which raised more than $25 million for a U.S.-Mexico border barrier, was “based on false promises,” according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, who also accused Bannon of “using the proceeds of the plan.” to have washed”. to further and cover up the fraud.”
In September 2022, Bannon turned himself in to authorities. According to the Manhattan Attorney’s OfficeBannon and others had stated that none of the donations would be used to pay We Build the Wall co-founder Brian Kolfage. However, more than $250,000 went to Kolfage in 2019, the prosecutor’s office said.
Prosecutors have also alleged that Kolfage spent donated funds on a car, jewelry and cosmetic surgery, among other things.
According to the fundraiser, Bannon received more than $1 million to cover his personal expenses US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
“It’s a crime to monetize by lying to donors, and in New York you’re held accountable for that,” Bragg said Press Release 2022. “Stephen Bannon acted as the architect of a multi-million dollar plan to swindle thousands of donors across the country – including hundreds of Manhattan residents.”
During his presidency, Trump pardoned Bannon for his role in the plan, but that didn’t exempt him from state-level charges.