Steve Bannon Arrested, Charged With Fraud In 'We Build The Wall' Fundraising Scheme
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and three others were charged with fraud by Manhattan prosecutors Thursday in connection with the “We Build The Wall” fundraising scheme, with the Department of Justice claiming that hundreds of thousands of donors were defrauded as a result, with the campaign raising over $25 million.
Bannon, along with Brian Kolfage, Andrew Baldato and Timothy Shea are accused by Manhattan prosecutors of profiting off the fundraising campaign, with Bannon reportedly receiving over $1 million and using it for his personal expenses. All four men are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and could receive up to 20 years in prison for each count.
Bannon, Kolfage, Baldato and Shea have been arrested and have not responded to the charges, and will appear in U.S. District court on Thursday.
According to the 24-page indictment, to convince donors to give money, “Kolfage repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would ‘not take a penny in salary or compensation’ and that ‘100% of the funds raised . . . will be used in the execution of our mission and purpose’ because, as Bannon publicly stated, ‘we’re a volunteer organization.’”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/08/20/steve-bannon-charged-with-fraud-in-we-build-the-wall-fundraising-scheme/#7fb8f7643662
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