Federal prosecutors have struck a plea agreement with Brian Kolfage, a U.S. Air Force veteran who helped lead a fundraising campaign called We Build the Wall. The effort, as its name suggests, was meant to support attempts to construct Trump’s long-sought border wall blocking off the U.S. from Mexico — but Kolfage used hundreds of thousands of dollars in donor money for personal expenses, even though he’d claimed to those giving to the endeavor that he wouldn’t use anything from the project for himself. In reality, he utilized more than $350,000 in donor money for a boat, a pricey car, a golf cart, cosmetic procedures, jewelry, and more, as summarized by Reuters.
Kolfage was originally indicted alongside three other individuals, including longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon — who eventually received a pardon from then-President Trump shortly before he exited the presidency last year. One of the other defendants, Andrew Badolato, is also pleading guilty and apparently set to formally enter that plea later this month, while the final individual, Timothy Shea, was originally moving towards pleading guilty but has since opted for a trial. As for Kolfage, he’s pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and three tax-related charges, including filing false tax returns and wire fraud. He will be formally entering his plea agreement later this month in front of federal Judge Analisa Torres. Notably, the wire fraud conspiracy offense comes with up to 20 years in prison if guilty — but Kolfage could presumably easily end up with a sentence significantly below that level. That’s just a maximum penalty, which isn’t what’s required here.
NEW: US House Oversight Cmte letter says US Justice Dept has blocked National Archives from turning over to Congress the White House records kept by Trump at Mar-a-lago. Committee says it wants explanation why (Letter doesn’t reveal if Justice Dept is investigating Trump)
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 7, 2022
Bannon has ended up with new federal criminal charges since scoring a presidential pardon from Trump. The new charges include two counts of contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol riot, and his trial on those allegations is set for July. Each count comes with a maximum sentence of up to one year in prison, meaning he could in theory face up to two years, it would seem — although again, he could end up with much less jail-time than that if found guilty. “Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the Department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law, and pursues equal justice under the law… Today’s charges reflect the Department’s steadfast commitment to these principles,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said when Bannon’s contempt charges were unveiled. The House also recommended Trump ally Mark Meadows for prosecution on contempt of Congress, but the department has yet to act on that referral.
NEW: Via @elliskkim — House Jan 6 Committee Chair Bennie Thompson was asked about possibility of Trump coming before the committee:
"He just might get his wish"
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 7, 2022
