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Report: Trump expected to pardon former chief strategist Steve Bannon | TribLIVE.com
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Report: Trump expected to pardon former chief strategist Steve Bannon

Bret Gibson
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AP
President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon leaves federal court in New York after pleading not guilty to charges that he ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme to build a southern border wall.

President Donald Trump is reportedly going to pardon his former chief strategist as one of his final acts in office, according to CNN and Bloomberg News.

Steven K. Bannon was charged by New York federal prosecutors in August with allegedly defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors who gave money to help build a private border wall. The “We Build The Wall” effort raised more than $25 million.

Prosecutors allege the former senior adviser used the campaign’s funds for personal use and attempted to defraud supporters by creating doctored invoices.

Bannon, 67, was arrested while aboard a luxury yacht off the coast of Connecticut and was freed on a $5 million bond.

Officials told CNN that Trump’s decision was not final until he signed off on the paperwork.

Trump is expected to offer pardons and commutations to as many as 100 people in the hours before he leaves office at noon Wednesday, according to those briefed on the plans.

Bret Gibson is a TribLive digital producer. A South Hills resident, he started working for the Trib in 1998. He can be reached at bgibson@triblive.com.

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