楼主 (北美华人网)
From a billionaire well-connected in Beijing to a fugitive critic of the Chinese Communist Party to an ally of Trump's Republicans, Cian Ci's extraordinary trajectory may now be coming to an end. The bravado, ruthlessness, political acumen and alleged theft that fueled his galloping down this path created lingering doubts about his true allegiance. Cian Ci was arrested at the 830-square-meter apartment this month and charged with defrauding thousands of U.S. and foreign investors out of more than $1 billion. If convicted, he could face decades in prison. From humble beginnings, Cian Ci has gone on to control a China-wide real estate empire whose centerpiece is a $1 billion office, retail, hotel and residential complex near the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He lives in a $230 million lakeside compound in central Beijing, has a separate barracks for his security guards, and has a huge wardrobe — the size of some people’s houses — for storing His Brioni suit. Cian Ci acquired majority control of a securities firm by buying out a stake in a state-owned company in the manner of a Russian oligarch. Caixin also uncovered multiple instances where Cian Ci failed to repay large amounts of debt. His business partner, who fell out with him, is in police custody. Ma Jian later admitted in a video that he accepted more than 60 million yuan in gifts from Cian Ci in exchange for intervening with other officials to remove obstacles to Cian Ci's real estate projects, deter competitors, and take other measures. Hard line.