Trial date set in NYC for Steve Bannon in alleged We Build the Wall donor scam — same judge to hear Trump hush money case

Right-wing political strategist Steve Bannon will face trial over his involvement in an alleged fundraising scam two months after ex-president Donald Trump faces a criminal trial before the same judge.

In a short hearing Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court, Judge Juan Merchan set Bannon’s trial for May 27, 2024 — just two months after Trump is to be tried before Merchan on charges of falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case.

After the hearing, Bannon — rumpled-looking and clad in a mismatched jacket and pants — made a beeline for the men’s bathroom outside the courtroom, waiting for court officers to shoo reporters downstairs before exiting the building and heading to a waiting car.

Bannon, 69, has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud for his alleged role in the We Build the Wall fundraising scam, which took donations from Trump supporters to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

After some turmoil among Bannon’s legal team earlier this year, the judge granted his new lawyers extra time to go over the evidence produced during discovery before Thursday’s appearance.

“We’ve tried to use that time productively. Obviously, the big topic of conversation was the volume of discovery,” said John Carman, an attorney for Bannon — adding that he and the prosecution team had met a few weeks ago.

The judge set the trial date almost exactly a year from Thursday.

“It’s maybe a little bit longer than maybe you would have wanted to wait to hear from us, however there is an enormous amount ... of discovery that needs to be reviewed,” Carman said.

Representing the DA’s office were Assistant District Attorneys Daniel Passeser and Julieta Lozano.

“At this point, I don’t know how long the trial will take. You probably have a better sense than I do,” Merchan said.

Bannon was calm at the appearance, unlike fiery past court dates where he’s called the case a “scam.” In response to reporters peppering him with questions outside the courtroom, Bannon reiterated his support for Trump.

Bannon and his associates with the We Build the Wall nonprofit are charged with pocketing millions donated by people who were
told their money would be spent building a wall on the U.S. southern border. Prosecutors say Bannon spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery, golf carts and credit card debt.

Trump pardoned Bannon on related federal charges, but doesn’t prevent being charged in state courts. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought state charges against Bannon in September.

According to the D.A.’s office, the fundraising scheme lasted from January to December 2019.

Three other defendants in the case did not receive federal pardons. Brian Kolfage, an Air Force veteran and triple amputee and Andrew Badolato, a venture capitalist, were sentenced in April. Kolfage was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, and Badolato three years. Timothy Shea was convicted in October and his sentencing is set for June.

If convicted, Bannon could face up to 15 years behind bars.

Bannon was represented by Harlan Protass. His former legal representation, David Schoen and John Mitchell, withdrew, citing “a complete breakdown in communication” with Bannon.

Bannon, a former investment banker and film producer, took the top role at Breitbart News before becoming Trump’s chief political strategist in 2016.

In October, he was sentenced to four months in prison for two counts of contempt of Congress, for his refusal to cooperate with investigations surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection. He faces up to two years in federal prison when sentenced next month.