Timothy Shea, an associate of Steve Bannon, was sentenced today to 5 1/4 years in federal prison after being found guilty of defrauding thousands of donors in the “We Build the Wall” fundraising scam, Reuters reports.
Although Bannon was also charged in the online scheme, he was not part of the trial due to a pardon from Donald Trump during the final days of his presidency. However, according to Reuters, Bannon faces indictment in New York on money laundering charges related to the same scam, with his trial set to begin on May 27 before Judge Juan Merchan, who is also overseeing a separate criminal case against Trump brought by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for business fraud.
Last October, Shea, 52, from Castle Rock, Colorado, was found guilty on two conspiracy counts and one count of obstruction of justice after a one-week trial. A previous trial had ended in a hung jury in June.
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, during a hearing in Manhattan federal court, stated that Shea aided his co-defendants in laundering stolen donor funds through shell companies, all while claiming the money was intended for building the wall. Shea also kept $180,000 for himself, as reported by Reuters. Torres’s sentencing for Shea aligned with the recommendation of the prosecuting U.S. Attorney handling the case.
Last October, Shea, aged 52 and hailing from Castle Rock, Colorado, was found guilty on two conspiracy counts and one count of obstruction of justice after a one-week trial. A prior trial in June had resulted in a hung jury.
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres highlighted that Shea assisted his co-defendants in laundering misappropriated donor funds through shell companies, all while falsely claiming the money was intended for building the wall. Shea kept $180,000 for himself, according to Reuters. Judge Torres stated at a hearing in Manhattan federal court that such actions harmed the public’s faith in the political process. Her sentencing of Shea aligned with the recommendation of the prosecuting U.S. Attorney handling the case.
In addition, two other defendants in the campaign, Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato, pleaded guilty and were sentenced in April to 4-1/4 years and three years in prison, respectively.
Bannon faces a six-count indictment in New York, including charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and scheming to defraud in connection with his alleged role in the We Build the Wall operation. The group raised at least $15 million to construct a border barrier but misused the donations. Bannon pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
