2 ‘We Build the Wall’ Leaders Plead Guilty to Fraud
Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato pleaded guilty to defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors to a crowdfunding campaign, “We Build the Wall.” On Thursday, they each pleaded guilty to “one count of conspiracy to commit…
Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato pleaded guilty to defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors to a crowdfunding campaign, “We Build the Wall.”
On Thursday, they each pleaded guilty to “one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.” Additionally, Kolfage “pled guilty to tax and wire fraud charges filed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida,” per the Department of Justice.
Kolfage and Badolato worked with Steve Bannon, former President Donald Trump’s adviser.
More than $25,000,000 was raised by the campaign to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Per the Department of Justice, Kolfage “repeatedly and falsely assured the public that he would ‘not take a penny in salary or compensation’ and that ‘100% of the funds raised . . . will be used in the execution of our mission and purpose.'”
Kolfage allegedly used over $350,000 in donations for personal expenses.
“I knew what I was doing was wrong and a crime,” Kolfage told the judge.
They are scheduled