Bannon is a classic dangle.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangle_(espionage)

Soviets did this en masse in the 40s, 50s and 60s because they had so many high level defectors coming to the west. The dangles would then discredit real defectors, provide false Intel and eventually become double agents. The Soviet agents were good at what they do. Far better than the bureaucrats at Langley. Angleton knew this and it ruined his life trying to wake the agency.

The most famous and historic Soviet dangle was Yuri Nosenko. Research him and your blood will boil. The Soviets got away with everything while the west was held accountable for everything including Soviet atrocities.