Steve Bannon’s Fraud Trial Postponed to Allow Additional Evidence
TL/DR –
Steve Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has had his criminal trial postponed from December 9 to February 25 by a New York judge, which will allow prosecutors to introduce additional financial evidence. Bannon, who was chair of WeBuildTheWall.Inc’s advisory group, faces charges for allegedly defrauding donors who believed their money was being used to build a U.S. southern border wall. Three other members of the group, including its founder, have already been convicted of related charges.
On Monday, New York judge April Newbauer postponed the criminal trial of Steve Bannon, former White House adviser and close cohort of President-elect Donald Trump.
Bannon is currently facing multiple charges from the Manhattan district attorney’s office due to defrauding donors who believed their donations supported the construction of the U.S. southern border wall. Bannon maintains his innocence.
Scheduled to commence on Dec. 9, the trial has now been postponed to Feb. 25 as more financial evidence is introduced by prosecutors to establish Bannon’s motive.
Bannon stands indicted on money laundering, scheming to defraud, and conspiracy charges since Sept. 2022. He held a chair in the advisory group of WeBuildTheWall.Inc, an organization accused of defrauding thousands of donors.
Prosecutors claim that Bannon and the group’s founder, Brian Kolfage, misappropriated donated funds for personal gain. Three other members, including Kolfage, faced convictions relating to the scheme.
Bannon alleges political bias as the reason behind his charges, attributing them to the Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He claims to have been initially charged in relation with the same scheme by federal authorities in Aug. 2020, and was pardoned by Trump.
As state cases cannot be pardoned by presidents, Bannon could face up to 15 years of imprisonment if proven guilty.
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