Posted on 08/20/2020 7:15:08 AM PDT by Red Badger
Steve Bannon, ‘We Build The Wall’ organizers arrested, charged with defrauding donors
Steve Bannon has been federally indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection to a crowdfunding campaign to build a border wall. Bannon was arrested this morning in Washington, D.C. on charges he and others allegedly made false representations about the “We Build the Wall campaign.”
Bannon, 66 is expected to appear in court virtually on Thursday.
Prosecutors said Bannon and others defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors to the online campaign by falsely assuring them the organizers were not taking a penny of donation money — Bannon had publicly stated, “we’re a volunteer organization.”
“Those representations were false,” the indictment said.
Bannon, Brian Koflage, 38, of Mirimar Beach, Florida, Andrew Badolato, 56, of Sarasota, Florida, and Timothy Shea, 49, of Castle Rock, Colorado, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The defendants allegedly defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors in connection with the crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than $25 million.
The indictment was brought by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
“As alleged, the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction,” acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a press release. “While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle.”
According to the indictment, Bannon took at least $1 million to pay personal expenses.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
I highly doubt Bannon did anything outright illegal. I’m sure he knew exactly what he was doing and had legal counsel on it.
He may have taken an aggressive stance regarding some rules and regulations, but no way do I seem him committing fraud.
It’s just as likely if not more so that the prosecutors are the ones taking an aggressive stance to make political points.
Bannon’s War Room Pandemic is the very best news show available in terms of understanding what the CCP is doing and how we should respond to it. It would not surprise me either if the CCP had a role in this arrest.
I don't follow Bannon closely but he always impressed me when he talks about the fight we are facing and the one we are in. He's a former Naval Officer and it appears he has good cred. Anyway I'm not prepared to jump in and yell 'guilty'. Makes no sense to me but then the stupidity of people never ceases to amaze.
I think back though and remember: Dinesh D'Souza, Roger Stone, Paul Manfort, et al and think, how convenient that all were 'arrested' for what seems to be trumped up charges (no pun intended). I guess time will tell on this but at this point, I don't believe squat.
Why I suspect there is no there there.
Are they building the f@#$ing wall or not? They are. SBFD if they got payed something on the side. Hillary sure got paid handsomely for helping Haitian hurricane victims, who got 20 cents on the dollar.
Barr is Deep State CIA Bush scum who reportedly just put that US attorney in as a replacement because the old one wanted to actually go after the Epstein/Maxwell thing).
But yes, we will wait and see. Could be made up and could be legit at this point.
Wasn't this US attorney appointed by Trump?
Bush gave us SCJ Souter so it is a crap shoot.
Proving my point.
“minor issue”
Is it illegal?
Is jaywalking illegal? Is a coup against a sitting POTUS illegal? You don’t get it, obviuosly. The issue here is: do we have equal justice under the law or not? Is SDNY devoting resources and indicting Democrats in Florida for similar crimes? Obviously, not. Given that Bannon’s alleged crime is nothing. Literally.
Bannon was also megahyping the deadly pandemic with a dedicated pandemic show starting way back on January 25th.
Hmmm...
Oh please. That's called FRAUD. Stop making excuses for fraud.
And it's notable that others are making the case on this thread that states "the Democrats did it - and nothing happened to them!" Really? That's the defense people want to roll with? Okay.
Please note that President Trump today made it clear that he has had nothing to do with Bannon for quite awhile. Why would he do that and not say one thing about the charges being rigged, fabricated, etc?
Bannon et al will have their chance to make their case.
Vance is the elected state DA for New York County. This is the federal US Attorney's Office, headed by a Trump appointee.
Under 18 U.S. Code § 3237 (a), "[a]ny offense involving the use of the mails, transportation in interstate or foreign commerce, or the importation of an object or person into the United States is a continuing offense and, except as otherwise expressly provided by enactment of Congress, may be inquired of and prosecuted in any district from, through, or into which such commerce, mail matter, or imported object or person moves."
No. The defense here is that is a misappropriation of government resources to assault supporters of POTUS. Sad to see so-called conservatrives so comfortable with another coupist assault on supporters of POTUS.
This is little different than Lois Lerner. You ok with that, too? This is banana republic stuff. Would you rather have SDNY chasing terrorists or applying a politically motivated rectal probe “investigation” to a triple amputee vet raising money for the wall?
This thread is a perfect example of why FR comes across as an echo chamber full of really stupid people.
Well...you're posting on this thread...so...
2 video’s
Trey Gowdy calls Bannon arrest a ‘classic fraud scheme’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0WZtwZHsOE
Tim Pool
Steve Bannon ARRESTED By Postal Service Over “We Build The Wall” Campaign, 3 More Charged With FRAUD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv4ksb4DeM0
Question: Do you use Tin or Aluminum to make your hat?
It’s band wagon riding. As soon as the Band Wagon passes, many jump on for the secure ride
Dang, I liked Bannon, despite his flaws...I thought he was more good than bad to PDJT; Kolfage, injured veteran...disappointing. I think I sent them $50. Bummer.
>>Wasn’t this US attorney appointed by Trump?<<
Audrey Strauss is currently the Acting U.S. Attorney for SDNY. She was previously the Deputy to former U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, whom Barr fired last July at Trump’s request.
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