New York City's Manhattan Prosecutors, from the Manhattan District Attorney, Term-Limited, Cyrus Vance Jr. Office, sent Subpoenas, after Trump Pardoned Bannon, in late January 2021, for Federal Conspiracy Crimes tied to the Southern Border-Wall Project.
The Grand Jury Subpoenas were sent to Wells Fargo, One of the Financial Institutions that handled some of the Accounts used in the Fundraising effort, and to GoFundMe, the Crowdfunding Platform where Bannon's Project, "We Build the Wall," once Operated.
The New York State Grand Jury Investigation revives the possibility that Bannon could face State Criminal Charges, not covered by the Pardon.
In addition to the New York Criminal Investigation, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office has launched a Civil Inquiry into We Build the Wall. In September 2020, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Subpoenaed We Build the Wall for Documents seeking a Wide Range of Records, according to Court Filings.
The District Attorney's investigation into Bannon's Fundraising Activities is focused, so far, on the same Allegations of Fraud brought by Federal Prosecutors.
Last Summer, Federal Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, announced Charges against Bannon and Three other Men, alleging they Defrauded Donors in the Border Wall effort that raised more than $25 Million. Prosecutors alleged Bannon Diverted more than $1 Million to Pay a Co-Conspirator and cover Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Personal Expenses. They alleged the Victims, including some in New York, were Falsely told that All the Money Donated would go toward the Construction Effort.
Bannon pleaded Not Guilty to the Federal Charges. Following his Arraignment, Bannon said, "This entire fiasco is to stop people who want to build the wall."
Of the Four men Charged, Bannon was the Only one Pardoned. Federal Prosecutors are still pursuing Criminal Charges against the Others, who have All pleaded Not Guilty.
Federal Prosecutors have Not addressed Bannon's Pardon and it isn't clear if they are going to Challenge it.
In some situations, the District Attorney's Office could enter into an Information-Sharing Agreement to obtain Grand Jury Material collected during the Federal Investigation.
Vance has brought Charges before when there were concerns about a Pardon. In 2019 Vance announced a 16-Count Indictment Charging Paul Manafort, Trump's former Campaign Chairman, with State Crimes just hours after he was Sentenced on Federal Fraud Charges.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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