The founder of a large training company with branches nationwide and overseas has appealed against a four-year sentence for raping an employee, claiming he may have been set up by business rivals.
Song Shanmu, founder and former president of Sunmoon Lifelong Education Group, based in Guangdong Province, filed an appeal on Tuesday.
He claims the 22-year-old victim, identified as Luo Yun, lied and might have been part of a business plot to damage his reputation, Guangzhou Daily reported yesterday.
Song was given a four-year sentence and a 4,205.87 yuan (US$637) fine by the Luohu District People's Court on Christmas Eve.
In that verdict, the court said Song lured Luo to his villa in a remote area in Luohu District and raped her there on May 3 last year.
Luo said Song also took nude photographs and threatened to blackmail her after the rape. Police didn't find the photographs, however.
A police DNA test confirmed a semen stain on Luo's underwear belonged to Song, which led to his arrest.
At his trial, Song claimed he was set up, but he didn't reveal who he believed planned the trap. He also insisted evidence was insufficient.
After the trial, Luo said she was satisfied with the verdict, although she thought the sentence was a little lenient.
Song was acquitted of a 2008 rape accusation due to lack of evidence.
By Alice Zhang
