We Build the Wall (New York): Donor fraud and self-dealing
Status: Convicted (June 2022) • Pardoned (Jan 2025)
This Case File summarizes allegations and outcomes described in public court filings and official statements. Sources are linked at the bottom.
What happened (summary)
Federal prosecutors charged four individuals with defrauding donors to We Build the Wall, a nonprofit that raised over $25 million through an online crowdfunding campaign to privately fund construction of a border wall.
The indictment alleged that the organization's leader publicly promised he would not take any compensation, while secretly funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to himself through a shell entity.
Despite the conviction and sentencing, a presidential pardon was issued in January 2025.
Money trail (how dollars moved)
$25M+
Raised from hundreds of thousands of online donors.
$1M+
Allegedly diverted to organization leader through a shell nonprofit.
Additional funds
Used for personal expenses including home renovation, boat payments, and luxury items per indictment.
How it worked (mechanism)
Mechanism A — Shell entity pass-through
- Created a separate nonprofit entity to receive funds from the main organization.
- Payments routed through the shell were described as vendor costs.
- Leader drew salary and expense reimbursements from the shell entity.
Mechanism B — False public statements
- Publicly stated "100% of funds go to the wall" and "I will not take a penny."
- Donors relied on these representations when contributing.
Controls that should have stopped it (practical)
Related-party transaction controls
- Board review and approval of all payments to entities controlled by officers.
- Annual conflict-of-interest disclosure with independent verification.
Donor transparency
- Publish audited financials showing compensation and related-party transactions.
- Independent audit of fundraising representations vs. actual fund use.
Outcome timeline
Aug 2020
Federal indictment announced by SDNY.
June 2022
Conviction on fraud and money laundering charges.
Jan 2025
Presidential pardon issued.
Entities
We Build the Wall, Inc.
- U.S. Attorney's Office (SDNY)
- USPS Inspection Service
- Shell nonprofit entity (unnamed in public filings)