Each contempt of Congress count is punishable by 30 days to one year behind bars,as well as a fine of $US100 ($145) to $US100,000. US District Judge Carl Nichols set a sentencing date of October 21.
The verdict by the jury of eight men and four women,after less than three hours of deliberations,marked the first successful prosecution for contempt of Congress since 1974,when a judge found G. Gordon Liddy guilty. He was a conspirator in the Watergate scandal that prompted president Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Bannon was a key adviser to the Republican Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign,then served as his chief White House strategist in 2017 before a falling out between the two that was later patched up. Bannon has also played an instrumental role in right-wing media.
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His defence team in closing arguments suggested to jurors that Bannon was a political target and painted the main prosecution witness as a politically motivated Democrat with ties to one of the prosecutors. The prosecution countered that Bannon showed disdain for the authority of Congress and needed to be held accountable for his unlawful defiance.
Prosecutor Molly Gaston told jurors the attack represented a “dark day” for America,adding:“There is nothing political about finding out why January 6 happened and making sure it never happens again.”
Evan Corcoran,one of Bannon’s attorneys,told jurors,“The question is,’Why? Why was Steve Bannon singled out?”