Judge Analisa Torres presided over the jury selection for the trial of Guo Wengui, who is facing 12 criminal charges related to fraudulent investment schemes. Dozens of prospective jurors were considered, with some being dismissed due to hardships. The remaining jurors will be partially anonymous, identified only by numbers in court.
Guo, a fugitive Chinese businessman, has been accused of various crimes by Chinese authorities, with allegations of corruption and tampering with judicial proceedings. Despite his contentious past, Guo developed a connection with former US president Donald Trump’s strategist, Steve Bannon, and announced plans to overthrow the Chinese government.
Recently, Guo’s chief of staff pleaded guilty to fraudulently inducing investors to send money through various entities controlled by Guo. Prosecutors claim that hundreds of thousands of investors were deceived into investing over US$1 billion in Guo’s schemes.
The trial is set to begin with opening statements, shedding light on the complex web of allegations and legal proceedings surrounding Guo’s case.