Legally, what the “donors” think happened is irrelevant. Bannon and Kolfage committed fraud.

Prosecutors allege Bannon, Kolfage and the others siphoned off more than $1 million in donations to the online crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than $25 million to build a wall along the southern border, for their own use.

Campaign organizers repeatedly told the public that Kolfage “would not take a penny in salary or compensation” and that “100% of the funds raised” would be used to build a wall, according to an indictment filed Thursday.

But prosecutors say Bannon took control of more than $1 million and gave Kolfage “secret” payments of up to $20,000 a month. Kolfage allegedly used the money to pay his personal income-tax bill and credit-card debt, and to buy a boat and a luxury SUV, among other expenses, according to the indictment.