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Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to Donald Trump, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony fraud charge in New York, closing the curtain on his role in the "We Build The Wall" fundraising scandal. The deal, struck with Manhattan prosecutors, allows Bannon to dodge jail time but bars him from handling New York charities’ finances ever again.

Bannon, facing Justice April Newbauer, admitted to deceiving donors who believed their contributions would construct a border wall. The plea resolves charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office pursued the case despite Trump having pardoned Bannon’s federal charges in 2021.

The Price of a Plea Deal

In exchange for his guilty plea, Bannon agreed to strict conditions: no appeals, no future leadership in New York charities, and a vow not to exploit WeBuildTheWall Inc. data.

"I will impose the promised sentence of a three-year conditional discharge," said Justice Newbauer, making it clear that any future offense could upend the deal. Prosecutors opted against seeking restitution, pointing to millions already recovered in the federal convictions of Bannon’s alleged co-conspirators.

Bannon's Firebrand Response

Silent in court, Bannon unleashed his fury outside. Flanked by supporters, he railed against Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has led multiple cases against Trump and his allies.

"I'm calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a criminal probe into Letitia James, Alvin Bragg— all of it," Bannon thundered.

James recently secured a $500 million civil fraud judgment against Trump, while Bragg’s office landed a criminal conviction in the president’s hush-money case. Bannon played no role in those cases, both of which are under appeal.

Defense Declares Victory

Bannon’s lawyer, Arthur L. Aidala, painted the plea deal as a win, arguing that a Manhattan jury— overwhelmingly Democratic— could never be impartial.

"When it comes to President Trump and Steve Bannon, people have deeply entrenched views," Aidala said. "Getting a unanimous acquittal here? Nearly impossible."

Calling the outcome "a spectacular disposition," Aidala emphasized that Bannon faced no jail time— a stark contrast to his federally convicted co-defendants, who all landed in prison.

Bragg’s Office: “Fraud Won’t Fly in New York”

For DA Bragg, the case was about more than Bannon. "This resolution achieves our primary goal: to protect New York's charities from fraud," he stated. The plea ensures Bannon "cannot serve as an officer, director, or fundraiser for any New York charitable association" and bars him from using WeBuildTheWall donor data.

If Bannon violates his probation in the next three years, he could face up to four years behind bars.

A Case That Wouldn’t Die

Bannon’s legal woes date back to his 2020 federal indictment, where he and others were accused of pocketing funds meant for the border wall project. While Trump’s pardon wiped Bannon’s federal slate clean, Bragg picked up the case on state charges, ensuring it wouldn’t be buried.

Now, with the plea deal in place, a scheduled March 4 trial is off the books. The government was represented by Daniel Passeser, Michael Frantel, and Jeffrey Levinson from the New York County DA’s Office, alongside Gregory Morril of the New York Attorney General’s Office.

The Final Word?

While Bannon may have sidestepped a jail cell, the deal places a legal landmine beneath his feet. A single misstep could see him behind bars— and in New York’s eyes, his name is now synonymous with fraud.