Miles Guo Court Documents · Doc 846
The defense cross-examines witness Le Zhou to show that he voluntarily supported and benefited from the G enterprises, actively helped the movement, and knowingly opened accounts and companies to process about $2 million in follower funds.
摘要
Trial Transcript · May 29, 2024 · Cross-Examination of Le Zhou
This 218-page document is the official trial transcript of United States v. Miles Guo, 23 Cr. 118 (AT), for the proceedings of May 29, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. before District Judge Analisa Torres and a jury. The transcript was filed on May 6, 2026.
Appearances
- For the United States: AUSAs Micah F. Fergenson, Ryan B. Finkel, Justin Horton, and Juliana N. Murray (with Special Agent Robert Stout of the FBI and three paralegal specialists);
- For the Defense: Sabrina P. Shroff, Sidhardha Kamaraju and Matthew Barkan of Pryor Cashman LLP, and E. Scott Schirick of Alston & Bird LLP (with defense paralegal Ruben Montilla);
- Mandarin Interpreters: Tuo Huang, Shi Feng, and Yu Mark Tang.
Procedural Ruling: Admissibility of G News and Gettr Posts
The day opened (jury not present) with a ruling by Judge Torres on the government's motion to admit certain exhibits consisting of preserved copies of online posts to G News and Gettr (ECF No. 352, with defense opposition at ECF No. 361). Citing Anderson v. United States, 417 U.S. 211 (1974), the Court agreed with the government that the posts are not hearsay because they are offered "for the fact that they exist, i.e., that they were made on media websites created and controlled by the defendant," rather than for the truth of the matters asserted.
Cross-Examination of Le Zhou by Sidhardha Kamaraju (Defense)
The remainder of the session was cross-examination of government witness Le Zhou, a longtime UK London Farm volunteer.
Witness's Volunteer Status and Motivation
Le Zhou testified that he actively supported and benefited from the G enterprises, volunteering for the movement. He confirmed that his motivation was to "help the followers," with his help directed at the UK London Farm leader's request to help followers, without specification of whether the followers were from the UK London Club or other farms.
Bank Account Operations
- Le Zhou opened three bank accounts to receive money associated with the UK London Farm. He was the signer on each.
- The accounts were in the names of different companies, some of which he himself registered.
- Le Zhou testified that he opened a Florida company on February 24, 2021 to open one of the accounts. Defense Exhibit 60476 (the formation papers and IRS Employer Identification Number letter) was admitted into evidence on this point, with the government stating no objection. The exhibit was published to the jury.
- The Florida company was registered by Le Zhou himself, although the directors were listed as the UK London Farm leaders.
Misrepresentations to the Banks
Le Zhou acknowledged:
- He told the banks that the accounts were for his real estate business;
- He was instructed by the UK farm leader to make that representation;
- He knew the representation was false — the accounts were for receiving farm-related follower funds, not real estate;
- The funds did not go to his real estate business.
Volume of Funds and Senders
Le Zhou testified that:
- Approximately $2 million flowed through the bank accounts;
- The funds came from approximately 50 senders;
- All funds were wired out per his instructions;
- None of the funds were wired to Miles Guo personally.
Document Production During the Witness's Period of Work
Le Zhou first opened the bank accounts to receive money for the UK London Farm in 2021. He documented incoming funds; outgoing funds were strictly per the instructions he received. He did not receive instructions to wire money to Mr. Guo personally.
Movement Activities Beyond Bank Operations
Le Zhou also confirmed his participation in volunteer work, including:
- Multi-farm Ukraine project: he participated in the "Himalaya Global Alliance" Ukraine effort, which he described as encompassing all farms ("All farms participated"), not just the UK London Farm.
Trial Posture
This transcript covers the third week of the eight-week trial. The cross-examination of Le Zhou is part of the defense's case theory that follower-volunteers like Mr. Zhou were knowing participants in a political movement rather than victims of fraud — a theme that recurs in the later sentencing-phase litigation (case-docs-822, 833, 835, 843).