Trump pardons former adviser Steve Bannon within hours of leaving presidency

The former senior adviser to outgoing President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, has been pardoned by the president and will be spared the pending lawsuit against him on allegations that he misappropriated funds he raised for the private construction of a wall along the southern border with Mexico.

Less than 14 hours after leaving office, Trump granted presidential pardons and sentence commutations to 73 people and commuted the sentences of another 70, including businessman Elliott Broidy.

A controversial action with which its critics affirm that it seeks to benefit supporters, political allies and family members who have violated the law.

According to the indictment, which was revealed in August, Bannon, Brian Kolfage, Andrew Badolato, Timothy Shea "and others orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of donors."

All four were charged with one count of alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

All four had pleaded not guilty. 

[Steve Bannon is arrested for a fraud related to the construction of the border wall]

Presidential pardons and commutations make it possible to largely nullify the legal consequences derived from some crimes or reduce the sentence imposed.

Experts have said that Trump turned the benefit of the presidential pardon into a personal project designed to benefit people of his design, since most of them 

used an informal way to have their case taken into account

: calls and emails with officials of the White House instead of using the Justice Department's Pardon Attorney's office.

Donald Trump pardons Michael Flynn, former National Security adviser who lied to FBI

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In the past, Trump had already broken the historical guidelines of this benefit, by acquitting criminals with friendly or family ties to his government.

The tycoon had granted clemency to more than 90 people

during his tenure before those announced on Tuesday, including former collaborators implicated in the investigation of Russian interference during the 2016 elections.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is one of those who received the presidential pardon last November.

The decision was criticized by Democratic congressmen.

"This is a serious act of corruption and a blatant abuse of power," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at the time.

Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, Roger Stone, Duncan Hunter, Chris Collins, Charles Kushner and Rod Blagojevich are other allies who have received this amnesty from the outgoing Administration in the past.

[Trump pardons his allies Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Charles Kushner and 26 others]

Last minute pardons

are a tradition for outgoing presidents

.

The day before he left office, Barack Obama forwarded or commuted the sentences of 330 people, most of whom had committed minor drug crimes.

Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive banker Marc Rich in 2001, a fact some analysts linked to financial contributions.

George W. Bush, for his part, only commuted the sentences of two border agents when he left office, despite receiving a flood of petitions.

Trump said goodbye to the Americans this Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours before Joe Biden takes over from the position.

In a video posted on YouTube, he said: "This week we inaugurate a new Administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous."

The statement did not mention Biden by name.

With information from

USA Today

and

CNN

.