Steve Bannon Ghosts His Own Lawyers in Border Wall Fraud Case, Driving Them to Quit

Steve Bannon is facing fraud charges over his border wall fundraising scheme, dubbed "We Build the Wall." However, his lawyers on the case are reportedly quitting after he allegedly ghosted them.

During Thursday's hearing, the attorneys for the former Trump campaign strategist and administration adviser told Judge Juan Manuel Merchan that they want to leave the border wall fraud case over "irreconcilable differences."

Bannon's lawyers, David Schoen and John Mitchell, also said their client was unwilling to speak with them directly and have a different view on how to proceed in the case, the Associated Press reported.

Merchan then said the right-wing radio host has until February 28 to find new attorneys willing to work with him, and Schoen and Mitchell must stay on the case until then.

"His approach could well be the right one, but he deserves a lawyer in sync with his view of the case. It is nothing personal. It is his case, and he should have it handled in the manner he wants," Schoen noted, as the AP reported.

The case is temporarily on hold as Bannon seeks new lawyers. No trial date has been set so far.

The former Trump administration official is charged with money laundering, conspiracy, fraud, and other charges relating to his border wall fundraising scheme.

In July, Bannon was convicted of contempt for defying a subpoena from the House panel investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was sentenced to four months in prison but remains free while he appeals.

Judge Blasts Steve Bannon Over 'Obvious Delaying Tactics'

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan called out Steve Bannon over his "obvious delaying tactics," but still gave him at least seven weeks to find himself some new lawyers, according to the Daily Beast.

"Although a defendant has the constitutionally guaranteed right to be defended by counsel of his own choosing, this right is qualified in the sense that a defendant may not employ such right as a means to delay judicial proceedings," the judge noted.

The judge also scolded Bannon's current lawyers, asking David Schoen if this was a delaying tactic.

The hearing also got heated at one point, with the judge cutting off Bannon's attorney midsentence and asking both counsels to approach the bench.

As the lawyers were walking away from the judge's bench, Mechan then told Bannon's lawyers sarcastically, "I'm sorry you feel like you were dragged into this courthouse."

He added, "You and your client will be treated the same as any other defendant in this courthouse."

What Was Steve Bannon's Border Wall Fraud Scheme All About?

Donald Trump faced many legal hurdles in building the border wall he promised. This was when Steve Bannon launched a GoFundMe campaign to ask Trump supporters if they could pay for the border wall instead.

However, the money reportedly went to Bannon and several allies instead of going into the construction of the wall.

Instead of facing prosecution, Bannon was pardoned by Trump following a federal probe. The Manhattan district attorney's office is now going after him.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said they will be holding him accountable for allegedly ripping off hundreds of Manhattan residents.

Bannon is facing a maximum of 15 years in prison for his alleged fraud scheme, though the Trump ally has pleaded not guilty.

WeBuildTheWall, Inc., the nonprofit behind the project, was also charged, and the company also pleaded not guilty, according to the Associated Press.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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