Colorado Businessman Sentenced to Over 5 Years for Role in Border Wall Fundraising Scheme

Colorado Businessman Sentenced to Over 5 Years for Role in Border Wall Fundraising Scheme
A border patrol agent listens to radio chatter at the border wall near San Diego, Calif., on May 31, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Michael Clements
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A Colorado businessman convicted for his part in swindling $25 million from proponents of building a wall along the U.S. southern border was sentenced to 63 months in prison. This is the sentence prosecutors requested, according to court documents.

A jury found Timothy Shea, 52, guilty of two counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction of justice for his part in “We Build the Wall,” an online fundraiser to finance former President Donald Trump’s promised border wall, on Oct. 28, 2022.

It was his second trial. A previous trial ended with a hung jury last spring. Mr. Shea received the more-than-5-year sentence on July 25.

In August 2020, he was charged with Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump, Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, and venture capitalist Andrew Badolato.

Mr. Trump pardoned Mr. Bannon as he left office last year. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Mr. Bannon with two counts of money laundering, three counts of conspiracy, and one count of scheming to defraud.

Former Trump White House senior advisor Steve Bannon speaks to media after being sentenced at federal court in Washington on Oct. 21, 2022, in a still from video released by NTD. (Iris Tao/NTD)
Former Trump White House senior advisor Steve Bannon speaks to media after being sentenced at federal court in Washington on Oct. 21, 2022, in a still from video released by NTD. Iris Tao/NTD

Mr. Bannon pleaded not guilty. Presidential pardons do not cover state prosecutions.

In December 2018, Mr. Kolfage set up a crowdfunding webpage called “We the People Build the Wall.”

He reportedly enlisted the other three defendants to assist in the effort. When the company hosting the crowdfunding website told the men they would have to demonstrate the money was being sent to a legitimate non-profit, court records show they set up the nonprofit We Build the Wall and transferred the funds there.

Mr. Kolfage, a triple-amputee and military veteran, was the public face of the operation. On several occasions, he stated that all donations would be used to construct a border wall and would not accept any salary.

Mr. Shea was convicted of helping set up shell companies to funnel donations from We Build the Wall to himself and the other three conspirators. The court record indicates Mr. Shea received at least $180,000 from the fund.

Brian Kolfage, founder of We Build the Wall, at the new half-mile section of border fence built by his group at Sunland Park, N.M., on May 30, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
Brian Kolfage, founder of We Build the Wall, at the new half-mile section of border fence built by his group at Sunland Park, N.M., on May 30, 2019. Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times

At the time, Mr. Shea’s defense lawyer, John Meringolo, said prosecutors had failed to prove fraud. He also unsuccessfully claimed Shea had a right to be reimbursed for expenses he racked up negotiating with property owners on whose land the wall would be built.

Mr. Meringolo, 48, died unexpectedly on Nov. 16, 2022.

In the sentencing request, prosecutors claimed Mr. Shea “is responsible for losses to over 300,000 victims and had minimal regard for the effect his actions could have on those victims.”

Mr. Shea, of Castle Rock, Colorado, owns Winning Energy, an energy drink company. The cans are festooned with a cartoon picture of Mr. Trump as a patriotic superhero. The company website reads, “Winning Energy is made from ‘liberal tears,’ creating the perfect energy drink for winners.”

Kolfage and Badolato were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in federal court in New York City last April. Kolfage, 41, a military veteran, was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Badolato, 58, received a 36-month sentence.

Michael Clements
Michael Clements
Reporter
Michael Clements is an award-winning Epoch Times reporter covering the Second Amendment and individual rights. Mr. Clements has 30 years of experience in media and has worked for outlets including The Monroe Journal, The Panama City News Herald, The Alexander City Outlook, The Galveston County Daily News, The Texas City Sun, The Daily Court Review,
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