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Chinese billionaire Richard Liu settles civil suit over alleged rape in US a day before the JD.com founder was to face trial

  • The JD.com founder reached a settlement with former University of Minnesota student Liu Jingyao, who accused him of rape in 2018
  • ‘The parties agreed to set aside their differences … to avoid further pain and suffering caused by the lawsuit,’ law firm Florin Roebig said

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JD.com founder Richard Liu Qiangdong has settled a festering legal dispute with former University of Minnesota student Liu Jingyao. Photo: Reuters
Xinmei Shenin Hong KongandYaling Jiangin Shanghai
Chinese tech billionaire Richard Liu Qiangdong has reached a settlement with former University of Minnesota student Liu Jingyao, who accused the JD.com founder of rape in 2018, a day before a jury trial was to start in Hennepin County District Court in the state of Minnesota.
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“The incident between Ms Jingyao Liu 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,” Florin Roebig, a law firm representing the plaintiff Liu, said in a statement on Sunday.

“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,” the firm said. It added that there will not be any further comment from all parties involved.

JD.com founder Liu, however, issued a separate statement on Sunday, apologising to his wife Zhang Zetian, and thanking her for tolerance and support. “I hope that my life and work can go back to normal as soon as possible,” he said.
Hennepin County Government Centre, located in downtown Minneapolis in Minnesota, houses the Hennepin County District Court where the civil trial against JD.com founder Richard Liu Qiangdong was to be held. Photo: Shutterstock
Hennepin County Government Centre, located in downtown Minneapolis in Minnesota, houses the Hennepin County District Court where the civil trial against JD.com founder Richard Liu Qiangdong was to be held. Photo: Shutterstock

A jury of 12, including seven women and five men, had been selected as of September 30 to hear the civil suit, according to a report published that day by Minnesota newspaper Star Tribune. These jurors were supposed to be present during opening statements of the trial on October 3.

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Before their settlement, details of which were not released, the plaintiff had asked the court for damages and punitive judgment against defendant Liu, who is estimated by Forbes to be worth US$10.9 billion as of October 2.

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