Bannon, three others charged with defrauding donors of 'We Build The Wall' campaign | TheHill

LewandowskiThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Argentum - Mask mandates, restrictions issued as COVID-19 spreads Trump shakes up campaign leadership, demotes Parscale Trump World boils over as campaign hits skids MORE and Kimberly GuilfoyleKimberly Ann GuilfoyleTrump's national security adviser tests positive for coronavirus The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump pivots on convention; GOP punts on virus bill Trump campaign raises million in virtual fundraiser MORE, a top fundraising official for the 2020 campaign.When asked for comment by a pool reporter on Thursday, a White House spokesperson said, "I refer you to [the Department of Justice], this is not a White House matter." The Justice Department did not immediately respond when asked for comment.We Build The Wall did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.Kolfage launched We Build The Wall on GoFundMe in late 2018, quickly raising more than $20 million, before the site threatened to remove his page unless he identified a valid recipient of the funds.According to the indictment, Kolfage, Bannon and Badolato then formed a nonprofit called "We Build The Wall, Inc." to receive the GoFundMe money.Despite Kolfage's promises that he wouldn't be taking a salary, federal prosecutors alleged that the group of defendants schemed to pass along hundreds of thousands of dollars to him to help "fund his lavish lifestyle."Kolfage allegedly took a total of $350,000 from the organization, passed through a series of bank accounts and nonprofits between January and October of 2019.Prosecutors said one nonprofit controlled by Bannon received more than $1 million, some of which he passed on to Kolfage, while taking a "substantial portion" for personal gain.In October, the indictment says, the defendants realized they might be under criminal investigation, halted their secret payment scheme and amended the organization's website to note that Kolfage would be paid a salary beginning this January.— Updated at 1:06 p.m.View the discussion thread.The Hill 1625 K Street, NW Suite 900 Washington DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 tel | 202-628-8503 faxThe contents of this site are ©2020 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.