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On August 20, 2020, Bannon was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering related to an online fundraising campaign called "We Build the Wall." Three of his associates—Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato, and Timothy Shea—were also charged on the same counts. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said the four defendants allegedly conspired to use money from the fundraising campaign for personal profit. Strauss alleged, "While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle." The indictment said Kolfage took $350,000 in funds for personal use. It also said that Bannon, using a non-profit organization under his control, funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the campaign for his personal expenses. Bannon pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was pardoned by President Donald Trump (R) on January 20, 2021, four months before his scheduled trial date.
