Chinese billionaire Richard Liu settles US rape allegation

2/10/2022 18:16

        Chinese billionaire and JD.com founder Richard Liu agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a former University of Minnesota student who alleged he raped her in her Minneapolis apartment after a night of dinner and drinks with wealthy Chinese executives in 2018, attorneys for both sides announced Saturday.
        
        Richard Liu, who stepped down as the CEO of Beijing-based e-commerce company JD.com this year amid increased government scrutiny of China’s technology industry, has denied raping the woman.
        
        In a joint statement released Saturday night, attorneys for both sides said: “The incident between the woman and Mr. Richard Liu in Minnesota in 2018 resulted in a misunderstanding that has consumed substantial public attention and brought profound suffering to the parties and their families.
        
        Today, the parties agreed to set aside their differences, and settle their legal dispute in order to avoid further pain and suffering caused by the lawsuit.” A settlement amount was not disclosed.
        
        The settlement was announced just two days before a trial was set to begin in a Minneapolis courtroom.