Steve Bannon, one of the most prominent figures on the American right and a one-time strategist for former President Donald Trump, was sentenced to four months in prison for refusing to cooperate with the US Congress’s investigation into the January 6 storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters. , reports BTA.
During the sentencing hearing, the court also ordered Bannon to pay a $6,500 fine.
In July, Bannon was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress. Congressmen had summoned him to a hearing where he had the opportunity to appear through written testimony or in person. Each of the two counts of the indictment carries one month to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
On Monday, prosecutors asked the court for a sentence of six months in prison, while Bannon’s lawyers pushed for probation.
Sixty-eight-year-old Bannon was one of Republican Trump’s most important advisers during his successful presidential campaign in 2016. Subsequently, already in the White House, he became his chief strategist, but in 2017 he fell out of favor and was Fired.
The defense’s argument was that, on the advice of his lawyers, Bannon did not respond to the congressional subpoena because Trump, as president, had invoked his executive authority to keep some of the White House’s correspondence confidential.
According to the commission investigating the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, Bannon spoke at least twice with Trump the day before the attack on Congress, participated in an operation at a Washington hotel, and on his right-wing podcast uttered the line: “It’s like it’s going to open tomorrow.” hell”.
During the course of the case, the prosecution presented only two witnesses and Bannon’s defense none. He himself chose not to testify in court.
His lawyers said they would appeal.
Today’s verdict does not end Bannon’s legal woes. In September, a New York state court found him guilty of money laundering and criminal conspiracy after prosecutors accused him of misleading donors into giving money for Trump’s promised wall along the Mexican border. Bannon, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges. He was pardoned by Trump last year on a similar charge.
