Huawei CFO’s admissions can be used at criminal trial, US judge rules

A US judge has ruled that admissions made by Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in 2021 can be used in the upcoming criminal trial against Huawei. Meng, who was accused of bank fraud for violating sanctions on Iran, acknowledged in a statement of facts that she had lied to a financial institution about Huawei's compliance with sanctions and export control law. US District Judge Ann Donnelly stated that Huawei should not be able to object to the use of its CFO's admission regarding her job-related conduct, which Huawei adopted. The judge rejected Huawei's arguments that prosecutors could not use the admission and that the company was entitled to remain silent. Meng's arrest in 2018 on a US warrant strained US-China and China-Canada relations.

A US judge has ruled that admissions made by Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou can be used against the company in its upcoming criminal trial. Meng made these admissions as part of a 2021 agreement to dismiss charges against her. In a statement of facts, she acknowledged lying to a financial institution regarding Huawei's compliance with sanctions and export control laws related to business in Iran. US District Judge Ann Donnelly stated that because Meng was and remains Huawei's CFO, her statement is admissible evidence in the trial against the company. The ruling was filed in Brooklyn federal court.