A state judge in New York has delayed the trial of former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who faces charges related to a scheme to defraud donors of a supposed charity aimed at building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The trial, initially set for May 2024, has been rescheduled, with jury selection now set to begin on February 25, 2025.
Bannon, who served as the chair of the advisory board for the nonprofit “We Build The Wall” (WBTW), is accused of conspiring to mislead donors while laundering the donations. The six-count indictment includes charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The trial’s delay comes after Bannon’s defense team requested additional time to examine new evidence presented by prosecutors. This evidence is said to show that funds raised for the border wall were funneled to pay down over $600,000 in credit card debt incurred by a different charity led by Bannon, the Citizens of the American Republic (COAR). This development was ruled admissible in the case, despite objections from Bannon’s defense team, who argued that it was irrelevant to the current charges.
Bannon’s case is one of several linked to the controversial WBTW project. The nonprofit organization, which raised millions in donations, was initially touted as a private effort to fund the construction of a border wall. However, authorities allege that Bannon, along with other figures involved in the project, misused donor money for personal expenses.
In addition to Bannon, other key figures in the WBTW operation have faced legal consequences. Brian Kolfage, a military veteran who served as the president of WBTW, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2023. Andrew Badolato, a business associate of Bannon’s, received a three-year sentence. Timothy Shea, another executive involved in the project, was convicted in 2023 of wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice, leading to a five-year prison sentence.
Federal prosecutors detailed how the scheme worked, explaining that Bannon and Badolato allegedly routed money from WBTW through COAR, a nonprofit that Bannon controlled, before funneling it to Kolfage. Kolfage, despite being a prominent figure in the WBTW organization, had no direct ties to COAR. The arrangement allowed the defendants to conceal the origins of the funds and use them for personal expenses. Prosecutors claimed that each defendant spent stolen money on lavish personal items, including home improvements and travel.
Bannon’s legal troubles are compounded by the fact that he was also federally indicted in connection with the WBTW project. However, he was pardoned by then-President Donald Trump in the final days of his administration, shielding him from federal prosecution. Despite the pardon, Bannon still faces state charges in New York, and the delay in his trial means that it will occur under the administration of a new president, likely Trump, assuming he wins the upcoming 2024 election.
If convicted on the state charges, Bannon faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. As the case continues to develop, it remains a significant point of legal and political tension, with potential implications for Bannon’s political future and his involvement in right-wing movements. The trial’s outcome could also provide further insight into the broader issues of political fundraising, nonprofit oversight, and accountability in the context of large-scale, controversial projects like the We Build The Wall initiative.
