Steve Bannon, a conservative adviser and longtime ally of Donald Trump, will go on trial in May next year on charges of defrauding donors who gave money to build a wall on the US-Mexico border, a judge said Thursday.
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan set Bannon’s trial in the “We Build Wall” case on May 28, 2024, modifying his calendar after noting that the day he announced in court is May 27, next year’s Memorial Day, when the courts will be closed.
If time stands, Bannon will be tried shortly after Trump appears in the same Manhattan courtroom in the latest criminal case.
Bannon, 69, pleaded not guilty last September after being indicted on money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took over the case after Bannon’s federal prosecution was halted thanks to Trump’s pardon. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state crimes.
Bannon has been accused of falsely promising donors that all campaign money would go to building a wall along the southern border of the United States. But prosecutors allege that Bannon and others involved in the affair used the money to enrich themselves.
Brian Kolfage and Andreas Badolato pleaded guilty to federal charges and were sentenced to prison terms. A third defendant, Timothy Shea, was convicted in October and will be sentenced next month.
Merchan is in charge of the Bannon and Trump cases. Bannon is free pending trial. Thursday’s hearing lasted just four minutes. “Here you are in May,” Bannon said as he left the market in a black pickup truck.
