The founder of “We Build the Wall” and former Trump advisor, Mr. Steve Bannon got arrested and also fined for running a fraudulent campaign and using the funds for personal expenses.
The campaign raised approximately 25 million dollars. Out of which hundreds of thousands of dollars were allegedly used by Mr. Bannon for personal needs and expenditure, the department of justice told in a statement.
After the arrest, Mr. Bannon pleaded a not guilty plea. He has been on bail for a long time.
During the 2016 election, Mr. Bannon helped Donald Trump to fuel his anti-immigration policy and “America First” campaign. He has proved to be a vital part of Donald Trump’s victory for presidential elections in 2016.
Mr. Bannon was arrested not on the ground but a long 45m yacht owned by a Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui. The ship was called Lady May. US Postal Inspection Service agents detained him on Lady May in Connecticut.
Recently, the increased tension between the US and China also aided the arrest. There have been many cases of China stealing intellectual property from the US labs previously.
There are allegations that Steve Bannon has used roughly 1 million US dollars for personal expenses donated by many non-profit organizations.
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Along with Mr. Bannon, three other people got arrested including the founder of the campaign, Mr. Kolfage who used nearly $350,000 for personal disbursement.
The US president, Mr. Donald Trump, has expressed his emotions of sadness and disappointment on the arrest of Steve Bannon. He has also clarified in a statement the money raised for the “We Build the Wall” had only been meant to be spent on the development of the border and not on personal luxuries.
He clarified that he had nothing to do with the fraudulent campaign and engulfing the funds for personal usage and expenditure.
