NEW YORK — Steve Bannon, the conservative strategist and former ally of Donald Trump, will stand trial next May for charges that he misled donors who gave money to build a wall along the southern border of the United States, a judge said Thursday.
Bannon’s trial in the «We Built the Wall» case will begin on May 27, 2024, just after the former president appears in the same Manhattan courthouse. in an unrelated criminal case.
Bannon, 69, pleaded not guilty last September following his indictment on state money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took up the case after Bannon’s federal indictment. was interrupted by a pardon from Trump. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state crimes.
Bannon is accused of falsely promising donors that all money given to the We Build the Wall campaign would go toward building a wall along the US-Mexico border. Instead, prosecutors allege the money was used to enrich Bannon and others involved in the project.
Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato pleaded guilty to federal charges and were sentenced to prison. A third defendant, Timothy Shea, was convicted in October and his sentencing is scheduled for next month.
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan presides over the Bannon and Trump cases. Bannon is free pending trial. Thursday’s hearing lasted four minutes.
“See you here in May,” Bannon said as he left the courthouse in a black pickup truck.