{"id":"court_sdny_712_0","court":"SDNY","case_no":"23-cr-00118","doc_number":712,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"RESPONSE","filed_date":"2025-06-30","title":"IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,","summary_zh":"答复状 —— 美国诉 Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵 / Guo Wengui / Miles Guo）案，SDNY 1:23-cr-00118 ECF #712（2025年6月30日提交）。代理喜马拉雅交易所（HEX）会员寻求发还被扣押资金的律师 Bradford L. Geyer，就客户 Beibei Zhu 指控其未经授权代理并要求经济制裁的动议作出回应，说明 Zhu 此前曾书面同意委托、现已应其要求终止代理关系，并陈述其代理众多 HEX 会员就资金扣押寻求法院处理的整体情况。","summary_en":"Response — United States v. Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui / Miles Kwok), SDNY 1:23-cr-00118, ECF #712 (filed June 30, 2025). Attorney Bradford L. Geyer, who represents Himalaya Exchange (HEX) members seeking the return of seized funds, responds to a motion by client Beibei Zhu alleging unauthorized representation and seeking monetary sanctions; Geyer states that Zhu had previously consented in writing to the representation, that he has now terminated the attorney-client relationship at her request, and describes the broader status of his representation of HEX members in the forfeiture matter.","body_en":"# **IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK**\n\n### **UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,**\n\n **-v-**\n\n**HO WAN KWOK, a/k/a \"Miles Guo,\" \"Miles Kwok,\" \"Guo Wengui,\" \"Brother Seven,\" or \"The Principal,\"**\n\n **and**\n\n**KIN MING JE, a/k/a \"William Je,\"**\n\n **and**\n\n**YANPING WANG, a/k/a \"Yvette,\"**\n\n **Defendants.**\n\n Restitution of Seized Funds Criminal No.: 23-cr-118 (AT)\n\n## **RESPONSE TO MOTION OF BEIBEI ZHU**\n\nAssigned to the Honorable U.S. District Court Judge Analisa Torres, Presiding Judge\n\n## **RESPONSE TO MOTION OF BEIBEI ZHU TO HOLD BRADFORD L. GEYER ACCOUNTABLE FOR UNAUTHORIZED AND FRAUDULENT REPRESENTATION AND TO SEEK MONETARY SANCTIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF \\$100,000**\n\n## **I. RESPONSE TO MOTION**\n\n## **A. Beibei Zhu Asked to be Represented by Bradford Geyer**\n\nAfter reviewing her file earlier today, Beibei Zhu—associated with the Himalaya\n\nExchange under HID: 2R5RWN2—previously confirmed her consent to be represented by\n\nundersigned counsel, Bradford L. Geyer.\n\nMs. Zhu registered as a client at 9:20 a.m. on December 22, 2023, and is listed among the\n\n6,491 members on the master roster submitted under seal on April 7, 2025, however, her account\n\nvalues have not yet been independently verified by HEX. (see ECF No. 676).[1](#page-1-0) Undersigned counsel plans to provide an updated list in a consolidated filing after the procedural picture clears under the Court's guidance and supervision in the weeks to come.\n\nEvery HEX member whom the undersigned counsel represents has affirmatively requested representation in writing—typically through digital means such as email or secure online communication. As the Court is aware, some HEX members have retained other counsel. There is no circumstance in which a member is listed as a client of Mr. Geyer without their express written authorization. That said, any final filing submitted to the Court will include a definitive client list authenticated through HEX's internal accounting systems on every client's behalf at an effective future date to be determined. Counsel continues to receive communications both seeking counsel and also some seeking to drop as represented clients.\n\nGiven the ongoing nature of member updates—additions and removals at the request of individuals—counsel and his team have spent considerable time carefully reviewing all related communications and agreements to ensure accuracy and integrity and we time our updates with the government filings and court procedures.\n\nAlthough the contingency fee agreements with clients reflect express written consent to a 1% success-based fee. Any insinuation that counsel is representing clients without proper authorization, or that the fee structure is unclear or inappropriate, is unfounded and should cease. Mr. Geyer's compensation, if any, depends on the existence of written agreements with those he\n\n<span id=\"page-1-0\"></span><sup>1</sup> As of April 7, 2025 a total of 3,539 client members have had their identities and account values formally verified and documented by HEX\n\nrepresents.\n\nThe only notable complication is that many clients have expressly requested that their names and details not be made publicly available, due to credible fears of harassment. Counsel has personally observed activity surrounding this matter that he finds suspicious and sometimes lacking in earnestness.\n\n#### **B. Counsel Terminates Attorney Agreement for Beibei Zhu**\n\nBecause clients have the right to terminate an attorney representation agreement, and with no other message or motive, the undersigned counsel on the apparent request of Zhu terminates the attorney-client agreement. Zhu is free therefore to represent herself or to retain any other attorney she wishes without obstacle or limitation and we have been responsive in terminating agreements with anyone who wishes to terminate their representation.\n\n#### **C. It is Unfortunate if There Was Any Misunderstanding.**\n\nIt is unfortunate, though perhaps inevitable, that meaningful analysis in this case is complicated by significant communication barriers. These arise from the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the participants—including those whose funds were seized—and the general unfamiliarity many have with the complexities of the U.S. forfeiture process. Miscommunications over email, translation issues, and cultural misunderstandings have further exacerbated these challenges.\n\nMoreover, the vast majority of undersigned counsel's clients have expressed concerns ranging from moderate to extreme—about the risk of being targeted by bad actors, including those believed to be state-sponsored. This fear is not speculative. Upon review of the trial\n\n3\n\ntranscript from the prosecution of Miles Guo last year, undersigned counsel notes that at least two witnesses provided sworn testimony in open court describing in chilling detail the retaliation directed at Chinese dissidents and named investors. These threats were presented credibly under oath.\n\nIn light of these legitimate concerns, and at the request of multiple clients, undersigned counsel has repeatedly proposed to the Assistant U.S. Attorneys a mechanism by which client identities and related information can be disclosed confidentially—without public exposure that could lead to doxxing, surveillance, or physical harm. Although counsel's communications with government attorneys have been professional and courteous, no agreement has yet been reached to establish a confidential inspection process for the U.S. Government to review and verify client information.\n\nNotably, in April, undersigned counsel submitted under seal a list of clients—identified by Himalaya Exchange HID numbers—who are seeking the return of their investments. Based on a careful review of that sealed filing, Beibei Zhu (HID: 2R5RWN2) was included in that submission. However, her information will not be included in future public or sealed filings and that filing was deconflicted by as of April 7, 2025, with changes since then along with an estimated ~3,500 that remain to be audited by HEX.\n\n#### **II. CONCLUSION**\n\nFor all the reasons set forth above, counsel takes the opportunity to clarify the concerns of the Moving Party Ms. Zhu, while those HEX Members who are his clients respectfully request that the Court order the return of their funds of each such Member of the HEX which was seized\n\n4\n\nby the U.S. Government. As for Ms. Zhu, she has been removed from our client list and is free to make her own filing if and when the forfeiture process is restarted with proper government notice or by Court order.\n\nIn the meantime, undersigned counsel takes this opportunity to observe that justice demands swift and decisive action to halt this ongoing harm and ensure that the rights of innocent victims are fully protected. Anything less would perpetuate the profound injustices already inflicted upon these individuals.\n\nCounsel continues to be concerned that each of roughly 10,000 accounts are individually reviewed through the traditional forfeiture process, this will take an inordinate amount of time and administrative costs consuming the Members' investment funds. This task of managing the individual accounts of Members has always been the responsibility and business of the Himalaya Exchange and undersigned counsel respectfully submits that the Honorable Court should not seek to recreate the functioning of HEX by an expensive, slow, and parallel process.\n\nDated: June 30, 2025\n\nDated: June 30, 2025 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED\n\n/s/ Brad Geyer Bradford L. Geyer, PHV NJ 022751991 Suite 141 Route 130 S. 303 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 [Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com](mailto:Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com) (856) 607-5708\n\n## **CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE**\n\nI hereby certify that on June 30, 2025, a true and accurate copy of the forgoing was electronically filed and served through the ECF system of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and by email to:\n\n> Bei Bei Zhu Email: [beibeizhu2018@gmail.com](mailto:beibeizhu2018@gmail.com) Cherry Blossom Road, Xi, a City Shaanxi Province 19802907101\n\n> > /s/ Brad Geyer Bradford L. Geyer, PHV NJ 022751991 Suite 141 Route 130 S. 303 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 [Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com](mailto:Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com) (856) 607-5708","body_zh":"美国联邦地区法院 纽约南区（United States District Court for the Southern District of New York）\n\n美利坚合众国（United States of America），\n\n诉\n\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵），又名“Miles Guo”、“Miles Kwok”、“郭文贵”、“七哥”或“校长”，\n\n以及\n\nKin Ming Je（余建明），又名“William Je”，\n\n以及\n\nYanping Wang（王雁平），又名“Yvette”，\n\n被告。\n\n查封资金赔偿 刑事案号：23-cr-118 (AT)\n\n对朱蓓蓓动议的答复\n\n指派予：主审法官、尊敬的美国联邦地区法院法官 Analisa Torres\n\n对朱蓓蓓要求追究 Bradford L. Geyer 未经授权及欺诈性代理责任并寻求 100,000 美元金钱制裁动议的答复\n\nI. 对动议的答复\n\nA. 朱蓓蓓曾要求由 Bradford Geyer 代理\n\n在今天早些时候查阅其案卷后，朱蓓蓓（Beibei Zhu，在 Himalaya Exchange（喜马拉雅交易所）名下的 HID 为：2R5RWN2）此前已确认同意由下述署名律师 Bradford L. Geyer 代理。\n\n朱女士于 2023 年 12 月 22 日上午 9:20 登记成为客户，并被列入 2025 年 4 月 7 日密封提交的总名单中的 6,491 名成员之中，然而，她的账户价值尚未由 HEX 独立核实。（见 ECF No. 676）。[1] 下述署名律师计划在未来数周内、在法院的指导和监督下诉讼程序明朗化后，以合并提交的方式提供一份更新名单。\n\n下述署名律师所代理的每一位 HEX 成员均以书面形式（通常通过电子邮件或安全在线通信等数字方式）明确提出了代理请求。正如法院所知，部分 HEX 成员已聘请了其他律师。在任何情况下，绝不存在未经成员明确书面授权而将其列为 Geyer 先生客户的情形。尽管如此，提交给法院的任何最终文件都将包含一份在未来确定的生效日期、代表每位客户通过 HEX 内部会计系统核实无误的最终客户名单。律师持续收到既有寻求委托、也有部分要求撤销委托代理身份的沟通信息。\n\n鉴于成员更新（根据个人要求添加和移除）的持续性，律师及其团队花费了大量时间仔细审查所有相关通讯和协议，以确保准确性与完整性，并且我们使我们的更新进度与政府提交的文件和法院程序保持同步。\n\n尽管与客户的风险代理费协议载明了对 1% 的基于成功费用的明确书面同意。任何暗示律师未经正当授权代理客户，或指称收费结构不清晰、不当的影射，均毫无根据且应当停止。Geyer 先生的报酬（如有）取决于与其实际代理之人是否存在书面协议。\n\n[脚注 1] 截至 2025 年 4 月 7 日，共有 3,539 名客户成员的身份和账户价值已由 HEX 正式核实并记录在案。\n\n唯一显著的复杂情况是，许多客户出于对骚扰的合理恐惧，明确要求不公开其姓名和详细信息。律师亲眼目睹了围绕此事发生的各种活动，他认为这些活动十分可疑，且有时缺乏诚意。\n\nB. 律师终止对朱蓓蓓的律师协议\n\n由于客户有权终止律师代理协议，且并无其他意思或动机，下述署名律师应朱女士的明示要求，终止了该律师-客户协议。因此，朱女士可以完全自由地自行代表或毫无障碍、不受限制地聘请她希望聘请的任何其他律师，并且对于任何希望终止代理关系的人士，我们一直在积极响应并终止协议。\n\nC. 若存在任何误解，深表遗憾。\n\n令人遗憾但或许不可避免的是，本案中的实质性分析因重大的沟通障碍而变得复杂。这些障碍源于各参与方（包括资金被查封者）不同的语言背景，以及许多人对美国没收程序的复杂性普遍缺乏了解。电子邮件沟通不畅、翻译问题以及文化误解进一步加剧了这些挑战。\n\n此外，下述署名律师的绝大多数客户都表达了程度从中等至极端的担忧——担心成为不良行为者（包括被认为具有国家背景者）的目标。这种恐惧并非凭空推测。在查阅了去年对郭文贵（Miles Guo）进行起诉的庭审记录后，下述署名律师注意到，至少有两名证人在公开法庭上提供了宣誓证言，令人不寒而栗地详细描述了针对中国异见人士和被具名投资者的报复行为。这些威胁是在宣誓后可信地提出的。\n\n鉴于这些合理担忧，并在多位客户的要求下，下述署名律师已多次向联邦助理检察官（Assistant U.S. Attorneys）提议建立一种机制，以便在保密状态下披露客户身份及相关信息，避免因公开曝光而可能导致的开盒人肉、监视或人身伤害。尽管律师与政府律师的沟通一直是专业和客气的，但目前尚未就建立供美国政府审查和核实客户信息的保密查阅程序达成任何协议。\n\n值得注意的是，在 4 月份，下述署名律师密封提交了一份正在寻求返还其投资款的客户名单（通过喜马拉雅交易所 HID 编号识别）。基于对该密封提交文件的仔细审查，朱蓓蓓（HID: 2R5RWN2）确实包含在其中。然而，她的信息将不会包含在未来的公开或密封文件中，且该文件截至 2025 年 4 月 7 日已进行了利益冲突排查，自那时起已有变动，另外估计还有约 3,500 人尚待 HEX 进行审计。\n\nII. 结论\n\n基于上述所有理由，律师借此机会澄清动议方朱女士的关切，而作为其客户的那些 HEX 成员则谨此请求法院下令向被美国政府查封的每一位 HEX 成员返还其资金。至于朱女士，她已从我们的客户名单中移除，并且在没收程序经由正当的政府通知或法院命令重新启动时（若有），她可以自由自行提交文件。\n\n与此同时，下述署名律师借此机会指出，正义要求采取迅速而果断的行动，以制止这种持续的损害，并确保无辜受害者的权利得到充分保护。若非如此，将使这些个人已经遭受的深重不公长期持续。\n\n律师继续感到担忧的是，如果大约 10,000 个账户中的每一个都通过传统的没收程序进行逐一审查，这将耗费极多的时间以及管理成本，从而消耗成员的投资资金。管理成员个人账户的这项任务一直以来都是喜马拉雅交易所的责任和业务，下述署名律师谨提请尊敬的法院不应试图通过昂贵、缓慢且平行的程序来重构 HEX 的功能。\n\n日期：2025 年 6 月 30 日\n\n日期：2025 年 6 月 30 日 谨此提交\n\n/s/ Brad Geyer Bradford L. Geyer, PHV NJ 022751991 Suite 141 Route 130 S. 303 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com (856) 607-5708\n\n送达证明书\n\n我谨此证明，于 2025 年 6 月 30 日，上述文件的真实准确副本已通过美国纽约南区联邦地区法院的 ECF 系统以电子方式归档并送达，并通过电子邮件发送至：\n\nBei Bei Zhu 电子邮箱：beibeizhu2018@gmail.com 陕西省西安市樱花路 19802907101\n\n/s/ Brad Geyer Bradford L. Geyer, PHV NJ 022751991 Suite 141 Route 130 S. 303 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 Brad@FormerFedsGroup.Com (856) 607-5708","key_entities":["Geyer","Guo","Himalaya","forfeiture","Kwok","Miles Guo","Je","Himalaya Exchange","CIPA","Ho Wan Kwok","Bradford Geyer","Yanping Wang","Kin Ming Je","William Je","Torres","Analisa Torres"],"ecf_references":[{"doc_number":676,"court":"SDNY"}],"word_count":1222,"status":"published","published_at":"2025-06-30 00:00:00","created_at":"2025-06-30","updated_at":"2026-08-23 07:25:54"}