In @nytimes story on indictment of Bannon: He was arrested in CT on yacht owned by Guo Wengui, Chinese tycoon in NYC said to have ties to China’s spy agency. Bannon took $1 million. Donald Trump Jr. endorsed the “fundraising.” Kobach was on its board. nytimes.com/2020/08/20/nyr…
2. Bannon’s friend Guo is not a Chinese “dissident,” as people claim. He has a complex history in elite power struggles. He fled China after officials arrested Ma Jian, a top officer in MSS, the spy agency. Sources in China say the two were close. More: nytimes.com/2018/12/27/wor…
3. Bannon has been on Guo’s payroll, in a big way. This story by @maggieNYT has info on a $1 million contract Bannon had with Guo and other payment details. @WSJ reported in July that the FBI is investigating Guo and looking into Bannon’s work with him. nytimes.com/2019/12/23/us/…
4. @WSJ reported this week that FBI & SEC are investigating Guo & associates for violating securities laws in raising $300 million for GTV Media. Bannon is listed as director. Investors said they never got documention, and banks have shut accounts. wsj.com/articles/fundr…
5. None of the reports indicate US officials are looking at active ties between Guo and MSS officials or ex-officials. Guo & Bannon push new activities involving wealth. Bannon says their “Federal State of China” is “high-net-worth” Chinese against CCP. asiatimes.com/2020/06/bannon…
