Steve Bannon, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to one count of defrauding donors of an online fundraiser supporting Trump’s border wall initiative. In exchange for his plea, Bannon avoided prison time and received a conditional discharge.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Jeffrey Levinson stated that Bannon admitted to a scheme to defraud, agreeing to plead guilty to count five of the indictment. The judge confirmed Bannon’s plea and imposed a three-year conditional discharge. As part of the agreement, Bannon is barred from serving as a director of a charity, fundraising for nonprofits, or using donor data from the campaign.
Dressed in a brown barn jacket with his gray hair brushed back, Bannon sat at the defense table signing paperwork before formally entering his plea, according to reports.
Bannon spoke briefly in court answering the judge’s questions.
“Yes, your honor,” he said when asked if he engaged in the scheme to which he was pleading guilty.
Prosecutors fought to stop recent efforts to delay the trial, which was scheduled to start on March 4. It also marks a second felony conviction for Bannon, who was found guilty of contempt of Congress. He served four months in federal prison and was released in November.
Bannon, a former chief strategist to President Donald Trump, was indicted in 2022 on state charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud related to an online fundraising scheme called “We Build the Wall” that solicited donations on the premise of building a wall along the US-Mexico border. Prosecutors say Bannon and others raised over $15 million by falsely claiming that none of the money would be used to pay the salary of one of the founders.
Following the hearing, Bannon recently called on newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both of whom have pursued legal action against Trump and his allies.
Bannon’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, explained that his client opted to take the plea deal because he did not believe Bannon would receive a fair trial in Manhattan. Aidala described the outcome as favorable, emphasizing that the conditional discharge placed few restrictions on Bannon beyond limitations on charitable work.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg released a statement emphasizing that the conviction protected New York charities and donors from fraud. He noted that Bannon’s felony plea prevents him from serving in any fiduciary role for charitable organizations in New York or profiting from donor information.
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