Steve Bannon Faces NYC Money Laundering, Fraud Charges From Wall Fund

NEW YORK CITY — Steve Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, faces money laundering and fraud charges tied to a $15 million fundraiser to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico, prosecutors said.

Bannon, 68, walked into the Manhattan District Attorney's office about 9 a.m. in a much-anticipated reprise of fraud accusations that spawned a federal case and a controversial 11th-hour pardon from Trump.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James that afternoon unveiled an indictment that detailed the case against Bannon and "We Build the Wall," a fundraiser that asked for private donors to support a barrier along the southern border.

Bragg said the fundraiser repeatedly promised that "not a penny" would go toward the organization's president's salary.

"But instead of pennies, the president of 'We Build the Wall' received more than $250,000 in a salary funded by donations," he said. "At least $140,000 of which we allege was laundered by Steve Bannon."

James said the supposedly unpaid "We Build the Wall" president — who is unnamed in the indictment — was a key fundraising promise. She said Bannon exchanged texts that stated the decision not to take a salary would be "the most talked about media narrative ever."

“Simply put, Mr. Bannon lied to ordinary citizens about this project, he diverted their hard-earned money, he preyed upon the emotions of New Yorkers and Americans, and then when Mr. Bannon was held accountable for his criminal actions, the former president pardoned him," James said.

Bannon was scheduled for 2:15 p.m. arraignment on the charges.

He previously blasted Bragg for bringing what he called "phony charges" two months before the midterm elections.

“The (Southern District of New York) did the exact same thing in August 2020 to try to take me out of the election,” Bannon said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors accused Bannon of pilfering $1 million from the "We Build the Wall" project. They arrested him in from a luxury yacht off the Connecticut coast.

He pleaded not guilty and ultimately escaped prosecution after Trump pardoned him during the former president's last day in office.

But state prosecutors — Bragg and James — apparently believe there's enough evidence to pursue another criminal case against Bannon, and one that can go forward without risking double jeopardy because the federal case was scuttled in its early stages.

Bragg said "hundreds" of Manhattan residents donated to the fundraiser, which gives him jurisdiction to pursue charges against Bannon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.