MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Latest on prosecutors decision in U.S. not to file charges against Chinese billionaire in alleged assault (all times local):
6:30 p.m.
The attorney for a University of Minnesota student who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Chinese billionaire Richard Liu says the woman is planning to sue.
Attorney Wil Florin says a civil jury should determine whether Liu, his company, Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com, and their representatives “should be held accountable for the events of that night.”
Florin issued a statement after Minnesota prosecutors on Friday declined to charge Liu.
Florin would not give details of the planned lawsuit, but told The Associated Press it would be in the U.S.
Liu was arrested Aug. 31 and released. He returned to China. He was in Minneapolis for a weeklong residency as part of the University of Minnesota’s doctor of business administration China program.
Liu’s attorney says the billionaire was arrested “based on a false claim” and that the decision not to file charges “vindicates him.”
___
5:15 p.m.
Chinese billionaire Richard Liu says a decision by Minnesota prosecutors not to charge him after a student accused him of sexual assault last summer proves he broke no law.
Liu issued a statement on his Chinese social media account after prosecutors announced Friday that he would not be charged.
Liu’s company, Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com, shared his statement with a translation he provided. Liu says he did not respond to comments on the internet while the investigation was ongoing to avoid interfering with police and prosecutors.
And while Liu will not be charged, he says his interactions with the woman have hurt his family, especially his wife. He says he feels “deep regret and remorse” and hopes his wife can accept his “sincere apology.”
Liu also thanked his colleagues at JD.com for “remaining focused” on their business.
___
3:50 p.m.
An attorney for a woman who accused Chinese billionaire Richard Liu of sexual assault says Minnesota prosecutors never spoke to the woman before deciding not to charge Liu.
Attorney Wil Florin said Friday that the Hennepin County Attorney’s office never asked to meet with the woman and never asked her a question.
Florin also criticized the prosecutor’s office for announcing its decision in a news release before the Christmas holiday “without even giving her the common courtesy of a meeting to advise her of their intentions.”
A spokesman for Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freemen declined comment. A Minneapolis Police Department spokesman says police spoke with the woman “a number of times.”
Prosecutors said they decided not to charge Liu because of “profound evidentiary problems.” His attorneys say Liu was arrested “based on a false claim.”
___
2:45 p.m.
An attorney for Chinese billionaire Richard Liu has welcomed a decision by Minnesota prosecutors not to charge him after a Chinese citizen at the University of Minnesota accused him of sexual assault.
Jill Brisbois, an attorney for Liu, said Friday that Liu was arrested “based on a false claim,” and that the decision by Hennepin County prosecutors not to file charges “vindicates him.”
Despite the prosecutors’ decision not to file charges, Brisbois says Liu’s reputation “has been damaged like anyone falsely accused of a crime.”
Prosecutors said Friday that “profound evidentiary problems” would have made it “highly unlikely” that any charge could have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Liu is founder of the Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com. He was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of felony rape and released. He returned to China.
___
1:55 p.m.
Minnesota prosecutors say there will be no charges filed against Chinese billionaire Richard Liu, who was arrested in Minneapolis after a Chinese college student accused him of sexual assault.
Liu is founder of the Beijing-based e-commerce site JD.com. He was arrested Aug. 31 on suspicion of felony rape and released. He returned to China. Prosecutors said Friday that “profound evidentiary problems” would have made it “highly unlikely” that any charge could have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Liu was in Minneapolis for a weeklong residency as part of the University of Minnesota’s doctor of business administration China program.
Liu’s attorneys have said he is innocent. JD.com has said he was falsely accused.
Liu is known in Chinese as Liu Qiangdong. He is worth $7.5 billion.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.