By June 2017, the relationship was crumbling. Mr. Youssefzadeh, concerned that Global IP couldn’t prove its independence from the Chinese government, ordered Global IP’s general counsel to investigate whether its structure still left it eligible to own a U.S-made satellite.
The attorney cited “control through intimidation” and other tactics by the China-approved directors to conclude that Global IP couldn’t prove it was independent of Beijing.
Global IP board members refused to convene to discuss the general counsel’s conclusion, according to Messrs. Youssefzadeh and Javed.