Reports out Thursday night reveal yet another principal of the Trump campaign in trouble.
Newly appointed CEO Stephen K. Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News, was charged in 1996 with domestic violence against his second wife, several news outlets reported. The charges were eventually dropped, and Bannon pleaded "not guilty."
The New York Times noted that, according to the police report of the incident, there were "allegations that he threatened his then wife, the accuser, with retribution if she testified in the criminal case. ... "
The New York Post first reported the news. NPR has not independently confirmed the charges, but Politico posted the full police report here.
Here's part of Politico's write-up:
"The Santa Monica, Calif., police report says that Bannon's then-wife claimed he pulled at her neck and wrist during an altercation over their finances, and an officer reported witnessing red marks on her neck and wrist to bolster her account. Bannon also reportedly smashed the phone when she tried to call the police. While the case ended when Bannon's ex-wife did not appear in court, the incident presents a new problem for the Trump campaign following the hiring of the controversial Bannon. ...
"According to the police report, on New Year's morning 1996, Bannon's then-wife asked for a credit card to go shopping, and they argued over whether she should just write a check. This quickly turned into a bigger argument about the couple's finances and future. 'She told him that maybe he should find another place to live, that she wanted a divorce. [REDACTED] said he laughed at her, and said he would never move out,' the report states."
NPR found Bannon was in some financial trouble at the time, with multiple federal and state tax liens against him, owing as much as $136,000 to the IRS. (More on those below.)
Alexandra Preate, a spokeswoman for Bannon, told Politico: "The bottom line is he has a great relationship with the twins, he has a great relationship with the ex-wife, he still supports them."
NPR reached out to the Trump campaign for a response. An email and phone call were not returned, as of Friday morning. (We will update if we hear back.)
Trouble at the top
Bannon, a controversial figure before entering the Trump campaign, is now the third Trump campaign chief to find himself in hot water. Trump's first campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was charged with battery after videotape showed him grabbing a reporter. The charges were later dropped.
Do you have any photographic evidence?? Did she punch out poor bill??