In contrast, the defense argued that their client was targeted by a foreign political campaign.
Defense attorneys described the Chinese government's pursuit as "grand, pervasive, and life-threatening."
The defense team asserted that the heavy sentence would validate an external smear campaign aimed at suppressing political dissidents.
Prior to his arrest at his luxury Central Park apartment by the FBI, Guo had formed an anti-CCP lobbying group called the New Federal State of China alongside political figure Steve Bannon.
Bannon was previously arrested on Guo's yacht in 2020.
During the sentencing hearing, Guo raised complaints regarding his current health status and briefly defended his past political activities in the United States.
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He declined to address the specific criminal actions detailed in the fraud conviction.
