Steve Bannon, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to a fundraising campaign for the building of the US-Mexico border wall.
Federal prosecutors alleged Mr Bannon and three others “orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors” in connection with an online crowdfunding campaign called "We Build The Wall".
The campaign raised more than $25 million (Dh91.8m) to build a barrier along the southern border of the US, lawyer Audrey Strauss said.
Despite portraying “We Build the Wall” as a volunteer organisation, Mr Bannon received more than $1m from the group, some of which was used to pay for his personal expenses, prosecutors said.
Hours after his arrest, Mr Bannon, 66, pleaded not guilty during an appearance in a Manhattan federal court.
“As alleged, the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalising on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction,” Ms Strauss said.
Defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalising on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars
We Build The Wall founders Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea were also indicted.
Mr Kolfage, who prosecutors described as the public face and founder of the operation, received thousands of dollars that he used to fund a lavish lifestyle.
He is due to appear in federal court in Florida on Thursday.
The other two defendants are due to appear in courts in the Middle District of Florida and Colorado.
Mr Bannon, 66, served as the chief executive of Mr Trump’s presidential campaign and was the architect of his populist strategy.
The former leader of Breitbart News helped Mr Trump to increase his appeal among the far right, often prompting accusations of racism and conspiracy-mongering.
In the White House, Mr Bannon was a leading proponent of the administration’s efforts to ban travel from a group of Muslim-majority countries.
But his tenure in the administration was a rocky one.
Opponents accused him of leaking to the media and haphazard efforts to root out “deep state” opponents of the administration.
Coverage suggesting that he was using outsize influence to manipulate the president quickly drew Mr Trump’s ire.
Mr Bannon was sacked seven months into his role during the controversy over Mr Trump’s handling of the violence that erupted at white supremacist protests in Charlottesville.
He applauded the president’s strategy to voice support for some of the demonstrators protesting against the removal of Confederate statues, who marched with people chanting Nazi slogans.
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
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