Colorado Businessman Jailed Over Border Wall Fraud

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Facts

  • On Tuesday, a Manhattan federal court sentenced Colorado businessman Timothy Shea to five years and three months in prison for his role in what prosecutors called 'a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors.'1
  • Shea, who raised more than $25M under a fundraising campaign to construct a wall along the US border with Mexico, had been ordered to forfeit $1.8M and pay restitution of an equal amount.2
  • Shea was charged three years ago along with three others — including Steve Bannon, a former top adviser to then-President Donald Trump — with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.3
  • During the ruling, US District Judge Analisa Torres said that Shea helped his co-defendants launder donor funds through shell companies and kept $180K for himself, despite assuring the donors the money was collected to build the wall.4
  • However, Shea's attorneys reportedly sought a prison term of about two years, arguing that the 'We Build the Wall' online fundraising scheme was not his idea.4
  • Two other associates of Bannon — campaign leader Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato — pleaded guilty, and were sentenced in April to four years and three months, and three years in prison, respectively. Bannon was also charged, but was pardoned by Trump during the final hours of the latter's presidency.5

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2United states department of justice, 3Colorado public radio, 4Reuters and 5CNN.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by New york times. Shea abused donors' trust and damaged faith in the country's political system by stealing millions of dollars in donations to cover boat payments, and purchase expensive jewelry and a Trump-themed energy drink. His sentencing is fair, adequately reflects his crimes, and serves as a deterrent to others.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Vanity fair. Timothy Shea received a much harsher prison sentence for participating in 'We Build the Wall' than was deserved — he wasn't the mastermind behind the scheme. The fundraiser was a proven marketing strategy that Bannon and Trump used to help the latter win the White House. However, both walk free while he pays the price of working as their aide.