A judge in New York has decided that conservative strategist Steve Bannon will not face trial until February on state charges related to a border wall fundraising scheme. The trial was postponed from its original date next month, with jury selection now set for February 25.
Bannon, a former White House adviser to President Donald Trump, was recently released from federal prison after a contempt of Congress case. The charges against him involve allegations of conspiring to deceive donors through a charity called WeBuildTheWall Inc., where Bannon served as the advisory board chair.
The trial delay came after a decision by the judge to allow evidence that some of the charity's funds were used to pay off a significant credit card debt of over $600,000 owed by another Bannon-affiliated nonprofit in 2019. Prosecutors sought to introduce this information, while defense lawyers argued against its relevance.
Bannon has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering in this case. The Manhattan prosecutors brought these charges following a federal prosecution that was halted when Trump pardoned Bannon.
One key aspect yet to be determined is whether the jurors' identities will be kept confidential during the trial proceedings.
