Facing state fraud charges in N.Y., Bannon is expected to turn himself in Thursday

https://www.npr.org/2022/09/07/ [login to see] /facing-state-fraud-charges-in-n-y-bannon-is-expected-to-turn-himself-in-thursday
Steve Bannon, a former senior political aide to President Donald Trump, is expected to turn himself into authorities in New York state on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the case.

Bannon will face state charges that he committed fraud by improperly diverting funds donated to an organization called "We Build The Wall."

The charity, launched in 2018, raised more than $25 million after promising to help build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to curb illegal immigration.

In a statement Tuesday night, Bannon described the state-level prosecution as a part of a wider "weaponization of the criminal justice system" against conservatives.

The office of Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg didn't respond Wednesday to NPR's request for comment.

Bannon previously faced federal charges linked to his involvement with the charity.

In August 2020, a Justice Department probe alleged he helped orchestrate "a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors" including some in New York state.