Steve Bannon: former adviser to Donald Trump arrested for wire fraud

Justice Department said he was charged over fundraising for the US-Mexico border wall

Steve Bannon, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to a fundraising campaign for the building of the US-Mexico border wall.

Federal prosecutors alleged Mr Bannon and three others “orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors” in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign called "We Build The Wall".

The campaign raised more than $25 million (Dh91.8m) to build a barrier along the southern border of the US, lawyer Audrey Strauss said.

Despite portraying “We Build the Wall” as a volunteer organisation, Mr Bannon received more than $1m from the group, some of which was used to pay for his personal expenses, prosecutors said.

A courtroom sketch shows former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon during his arraignment hearing for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering inside Manhattan Federal Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, USA. Reuters

Steve Bannon departs from federal court in New York. Bloomberg

Steve Bannon leaves the Manhattan Federal Court following his arraignment on fraud charges. AFP

Steve Bannon speaks to reporters outside the federal court in Manhattan, New York after pleading not guilty to charges that he ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme to build a southern border wall. AP Photo

Proponents of the New Federal State of China, a self-declared government in exile from China created by Guo Wengui and Steve Bannon, protest outside federal court after Bannon's arraignment. EPA

Proponents of the New Federal State of China protest outside federal court after Steve Bannon's arraignment. EPA

A supporter of the New Federal State of China waves a flag as they wait for Steve Bannon. Bloomberg

Supporters of the New Federal State of China hold flags as they wait for Steve Bannon. Bloomberg

Hours after his arrest, Mr Bannon, 66, pleaded not guilty during an appearance in a Manhattan federal court.

“As alleged, the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalising 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,” Ms Strauss said.

Defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalising on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars

We Build The Wall founders Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea were also indicted.

Mr Kolfage, who prosecutors described as the public face and founder of the operation, received thousands of dollars that he used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

He is due to appear in federal court in Florida on Thursday.

The other two defendants are due to appear in courts in the Middle District of Florida and Colorado.

Mr Bannon, 66, served as the chief executive of Mr Trump’s presidential campaign and was the architect of his populist strategy.

The former leader of Breitbart News helped Mr Trump to increase his appeal among the far right, often prompting accusations of racism and conspiracy-mongering.

In the White House, Mr Bannon was a leading proponent of the administration’s efforts to ban travel from a group of Muslim-majority countries.

But his tenure in the administration was a rocky one.

Opponents accused him of leaking to the media and haphazard efforts to root out “deep state” opponents of the administration.

Coverage suggesting that he was using outsize influence to manipulate the president quickly drew Mr Trump’s ire.

Mr Bannon was sacked seven months into his role during the controversy over Mr Trump’s handling of the violence that erupted at white supremacist protests in Charlottesville.

He applauded the president’s strategy to voice support for some of the demonstrators protesting against the removal of Confederate statues, who marched with people chanting Nazi slogans.