Last month, we told you about the mysterious disappearance of Fan Bingbing.
The actress, mostly known to Western audiences as Blink in X-Men: Days Of Future Past, had become the highest paid movie star in China.
But it appears her money got her into trouble.
According to a new report from Xinhua, the state-run news outlet, the star committed massive tax evasion using “yin yang contracts” — one salary admitted to the government, a second secret one under the table.
Related: Trump & His Father’s Tax Schemes Revealed
Fan now must pay back 288 million yuan (about $42 mil) AND pay a personal fine of about $70 MILLION.
This all lends credence to the theory the government had secretly arrested her, though Xinhua does not include any information about Fan’s actual whereabouts in their article.
However, Fan’s agent was arrested for obstructing the investigation by destroying accounting materials.
After the news broke, Fan took to social media site Weibo, on which she has 62 million followers, to admit wrongdoing and apologize, writing in a lengthy letter:
“I failed my country which nurtured me; I failed the society which trusted me; I failed the fans who loved me.”
It is still unclear whether Fan was hiding out or in custody all this time. Remember, this is the state-run paper’s report — meaning the government chooses what to reveal to the people about the case.
Read Fan’s full apology letter (below):
Recently I have been enduring an unprecedented amount of pain, undergoing deep self-reflection and introspection. I am deeply ashamed and feel guilty for what I have done, and I offer my sincere apologies to everyone.
For a long period of time, I did not uphold my responsibilities of safeguarding the interests of my country and society against my personal gain. I feel ashamed that I committed tax evasion in the film “Unbreakable Spirit” and on other projects by taking advantage of “yin yang contracts.” Throughout these days of cooperation with the taxation authorities’ investigation into my accounts, as well as those of my company, I have come to realize that, as a public figure, I should have observed the law, setting a good example for society and the entertainment industry. I shouldn’t have lost the ability to control myself in the face of economic interests, allowing myself to break the law. Here I sincerely apologize to society, my friends who care about me, the public and the taxation authorities.
I completely accept the penalties given by the taxation authorities after their thorough investigation. I totally accepted all of them, and will raise funds to pay my taxes and penalties regardless of any obstacles.
I have been an ardent art lover since I was a child, and I’m fortunate to have been a part of the rise of the film and television industries. Thanks to guidance from veterans as well as the love of the audience, combined with my own hard work, I have achieved some success in my career. As an actor, I take pride in showcasing our country’s culture on the global stage, and I do my best to be in the forefront of this. I owe my success to the support of my country and the people. Without the great policies of the [Communist] Party and the state, without the love of the people, there would have been no Fan Bingbing.
Today I’m facing enormous fears and worries over the mistakes I have made. I failed my country which nurtured me; I failed the society which trusted me; I failed the fans who loved me. I offer my sincere apology here once again! I beg for everyone’s forgiveness!
After this incident, I believe that I will uphold the law and respect official orders, while upholding my responsibilities. While I will continue to produce great work for everyone, I will monitor my company’s management carefully to ensure that my company abides by the law, building it into a great, sophisticated company with high integrity, in order to spread positive values to society!
Again, I apologize to society and my adoring fans, as well as to my friends and family who care so much for me. I sincerely say, I am sorry!
Fan Bingbing
October 3 2018
[Image via Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/WENN.]
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