#Steve Bannon crony wants fraud trial moved from New York

A businessman charged alongside Steve Bannon in a federal fraud case invoked King George III and the Declaration of Independence in a bid to get his trial moved to Colorado, according to a new filing.

Timothy Shea and his co-defendants former White House adviser Bannon, Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato raised more than $25 million in donations for the non-profit “We Build the Wall” — but prosecutors charge that they used some of the proceeds for personal gain.

A lawyer for Shea, a resident of Castlerock, Colorado, says his trial, slated for May 2021, should be held in the state where he lives and where it is easiest for him to mount his defense.

“Among the enumerated ‘…injuries and usurpations’ attributed to George III compelling the Fathers of the Republic to declare their independence from the sovereignty of Great Britain was: ‘For transporting us beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended offenses,’” the motion states, quoting from the Declaration of Independence.

Attorney John Meringolo bolstered his argument by pointing to another big name — mobster John “Junior” Gotti.

The lawyer argues that the Gambino crime boss’ racketeering and murder trial was transferred from Florida to New York in 2008 for similar reasons.

Meringolo was part of a team that represented the notorious gangster.

Further, a trial away from home could endanger Shea’s fledgling Winning Energy drink company, which features canned beverages emblazoned with President Donald Trump’s face, the filing says.

Even Florida, where two of Shea’s co-defendants live, would be a more appropriate venue, the attorney argued.

Shea was only in New York once in his life — for a Yankee’s game as a child, Meringolo wrote.

The entrepreneur is charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for the alleged misappropriation of funds related to the crowdfunding campaign to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.