The trial of wealthy Chinese businessman Guo Wengui began in New York on Wednesday, with prosecutors accusing him of running multiple fraud schemes that cheated hundreds of thousands of people worldwide out of over $1 billion. Guo, who was once one of the richest people in China, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from a five-year fraud scheme that prosecutors say began in 2018. The trial is expected to last seven weeks, with jury selection underway and opening statements likely to occur on Thursday. The prospective jurors have been informed that they will be partially anonymous, referred to only by their juror numbers in court.
Judge Analisa Torres made the decision to partially anonymize the jury after determining that Guo had shown a willingness to tamper with judicial proceedings by encouraging protests at the homes and offices of a bankruptcy trustee and his lawyer. Guo, who has been held without bail, left China in 2014 during a corruption crackdown that implicated individuals close to him, including a top intelligence official. Chinese authorities have accused Guo of various crimes, but he maintains that the allegations are false and intended to punish him for exposing corruption within the Chinese Communist Party.
During his time in New York, Guo formed a close relationship with former President Donald Trump’s onetime political strategist, Steve Bannon. In 2020, Guo and Bannon announced a joint initiative to overthrow the Chinese government. Earlier this month, Guo’s chief of staff, Yvette Wang, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Guo and others to fraudulently induce investors to send money through entities like Guo’s media company, GTV Media Group Inc., and his Himalaya Farm Alliance and Himalaya Exchange. Wang faces up to 10 years in prison and awaits sentencing in September. Prosecutors allege that Guo convinced hundreds of thousands of investors to invest over $1 billion into entities under his control.
Initially charged as “Ho Wan Kwok,” prosecutors now refer to Guo as “Miles Guo” in court papers, reflecting how he is commonly known. The trial has attracted attention due to Guo’s outspoken criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and his ties to prominent figures like Bannon. Guo’s case highlights the complexities of navigating legal systems in different countries and the potential consequences of engaging in fraudulent schemes that impact individuals globally. As the trial unfolds, the prosecution will present evidence of Guo’s alleged fraud schemes, while the defense will work to challenge the charges and protect their client’s rights in the courtroom. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for Guo’s future and could further shape the narrative surrounding his activism and business dealings.
