China News Agency, New York, September 8 (Reporter Wang Fan) Stephen Bannon, a former senior adviser to former US President Trump, appeared in New York on the 8th, in court on the money laundering and deliberate charges brought against him by a Manhattan grand jury. He has pleaded not guilty to fraud and other charges.
Bannon, 68, was indicted by a grand jury convened by the Manhattan district attorney for allegedly defrauding donors in a fundraiser to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, on charges including money laundering, conspiracy, the Associated Press reported. , intentional fraud, etc.
Bannon was released without bail that day.
As he left the courtroom, Bannon said, "It's all bullshit."
The Manhattan District Attorney said that while Bannon pledged all donations to build the wall at the fundraiser, he was involved in transferring funds to third-party entities and using the entities to wire funds to several others involved in the program .
U.S. federal prosecutors have previously brought charges against Bannon.
Trump, however, pardoned him on the last day of his term.
The pardon did not prevent state-level charges.
The Manhattan district attorney decided to hold Bannon accountable for defrauding hundreds of Manhattan residents.
According to the indictment, hundreds of Manhattan residents made donations to We Build the Wall based on false statements, and they were told the money would not be used for the organizers' personal expenses.
However, Bannon pocketed more than $1 million accumulated by the group through "hidden and disguised" transfers.
Bannon was charged with six counts including two counts of second-degree money laundering and one count of first-degree conspiracy to defraud, as well as We Build the Wall.
The "New York Times" said that Bannon surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on the 8th, and his appearance attracted much attention.
Bannon could face between five and 15 years in prison if he is ultimately found guilty and a judge decides on one of the most serious offenses.
On the same day, New York State Attorney General Zhan Lexia and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held a press conference.
Bragg said Bannon and members of We Build the Wall received more than $15 million from thousands of donors across the U.S. in a one-year fundraising effort to build the wall.
The group used donation funds to pay organizational leaders to payroll and used money laundering to disguise the payments.
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