The trial of Guo Wengui began in Courtroom 15D of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan and lasted for seven weeks.
A federal court in New York, US, sentenced Chinese businessman Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison and ordered the forfeiture of approximately $889 million in assets related to the case.
A jury found Guo Wengui guilty on nine counts and not guilty on three. The guilty charges include racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and securities fraud.
Wang Yanping pleaded guilty before a judge to two charges: wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. She accepted a $1.4 billion judgment, split between restitution for investors and forfeiture of criminal proceeds.
Prosecutors submitted an update to the original indictment, adding Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges and framing Guo Wengui's four alleged distinct fraud schemes as the manifestation of a criminal enterprise.
FBI agents arrested Guo Wengui and Wang Yanping in Manhattan, USA, and seized a large amount of cash from Wang Yanping's apartment. On the same day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York released a twelve-count indictment against Guo Wengui.
At the same time the FBI arrested Guo Wengui, a level-two fire broke out at his residence, forcing FBI agents to evacuate. Later investigations concluded that the fire was arson.