Steve Bannon Appearing Before Juan Merchan Ahead of Trial for Allegedly Defrauding Trump Voters
(AP Photo/Curtis Means via Pool, File)
Steve Bannon, the right-wing commentator who worked on Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and served in his White House, appeared before Judge Juan Merchan — who is also overseeing Trump’s hush money trial –in New York City on Wednesday.
While Bannon continues to profit off of Trump’s supporters and present himself as their hero, he stands accused of defrauding them. He has been charged with committing two counts of money laundering in the second degree, two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree, one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree, and one count of conspiracy in the fifth degree for raising money to build a wall at the southern border in 2019, but then using the funds raised to enrich himself and others involved in the scheme.
Trump pardoned Bannon, who was indicted on federal charges over the matter in August 2020, on his last day in office, but the pardon does not apply to state charges.
The pre-trial hearing on Wednesday is expected to include a motion from Bannon’s defense team asking that the case be dismissed, according to Newsweek.
“It is a crime to turn a profit by lying to donors, and in New York, you will be held accountable,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after the indictment against Bannon was made public in September 2022. “As alleged, Stephen Bannon acted as the architect of a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud thousands of donors across the country – including hundreds of Manhattan residents.”
“Mr. Bannon took advantage of his donors’ political views to secure millions of dollars which he then misappropriated. Mr. Bannon lied to his donors to enrich himself and his friends. We will continue to take on fraudulent behavior in every corner of society, including white collar criminals, because no one is above the law,” added New York Attorney General Letitia James at the time.
Bannon’s trial is set to begin in September.
