Nadat ze enkele maanden van de radar verdween, is Fan Bingbing terecht. De Chinese actrice werd beschuldigd van belastingontduiking en heeft inmiddels bekend. Nu kijkt ze tegen een boete van 70 miljoen dollar aan plus een extra 37 miljoen dollar aan achterstallige belastingen. Volgens sommige bronnen bedraagt de totaalfactuur zelfs 128 miljoen dollar.

Als ze alles in één keer betaalt, moet Fan niet voor de rechtbank verschijnen. Het is namelijk haar eerste overtreding. Haar agent kwam er minder gemakkelijk van af en werd opgepakt. Hij zou boekhoudkundige documenten hebben vernietigd om het onderzoek naar Fan te saboteren.

Op de sociale netwerksite Weibo verontschuldigde Fan zich aan haar 62 miljoen volgers. “Ik heb het land dat mij grootbracht in de steek gelaten,” zei ze, “alsook de maatschappij die mij vertrouwde en de fans die van mij hielden. Ik aanvaard alle boetes en zal ze allemaal betalen.”

Lees Fans volledige statement hieronder:

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

Bron: Dark Horizons, The Hollywood Reporter