Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon will stand trial on May 27, 2024, over allegations of defrauding donors to the “We Build the Wall” online fundraising campaign, as confirmed by a Manhattan judge. Judge Juan Merchan set the trial date, which occurs two months after former President Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly falsifying business records related to Stormy Daniels.
Bannon had previously received a pardon from Trump on his last night in office after being indicted on federal charges connected to the crowdfunding initiative intended to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The current state charges, brought by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, allege that Bannon and the “We Build the Wall” campaign defrauded 430 Manhattan-based donors out of $33,600. In total, over 11,000 donors across New York state reportedly lost more than $730,000.
Bannon pleaded not guilty to the charges in September. Prosecutors contend that the “We Build the Wall” campaign raised $15 million based on “false pretenses,” including a pledge that the group’s president would receive no salary. However, the campaign’s president, Brian Kolfage, allegedly received a secret salary of $250,000 funneled by Bannon.
The indictment cites Bannon’s assurance to donors at a June 2019 fundraising event: “Remember, all the money you give goes to building the wall.” If convicted, Bannon faces two counts of money laundering, which could result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years, along with additional felony charges of conspiracy and scheme to defraud, as well as a misdemeanor conspiracy charge.
