THE head of a well-known private training company in Shenzhen denied charges of rape at his trial Monday, five months after he was arrested.
Luo Yun, an intern of the company, called police May 4, alleging that Song Shanmu, 46, founder and president of Sunmoon Lifelong Education Group, had forced her to have sex with him at his apartment in Luohu and took pictures of her in the nude.
In the closed-door trial at Luohu District People s Court, Song responded by saying Luo had been willing to have sex with him for money.
Luo was asked to leave the court after a fierce verbal confrontation with the defendant.
The court will choose another date to announce the verdict.
Luo, 22, claimed she joined Sunmoon in the fall of 2009 as an English teacher. She did not have much contact with Song until April 20, when she announced she was quitting to take a job in Dongguan. Song then persuaded her to stay.
On May 3, she again tried to resign. Song asked her to stay for another week so that he could find a replacement, and that evening asked her to clean his apartment.
This was not unusual because, apart from teaching, I sometimes did chores for the company. I went with Song to his apartment, Luo said.
After reaching his home, she claimed Song threatened to kill her if she insisted on leaving the company. Luo claimed Song then took four photos of her naked before raping her.
Out of fear, Luo left Shenzhen for Dongguan, where she found a new job.
Police later searched the woman s apartment and found physical evidence that the two had had a sexual relationship.
Chinese newspapers provided details of Song s sexual liaisons, including one with a female worker who told reporters that she was almost harassed. But that worker did not give evidence.
Sunmoon Group, with more than 200 branches across China, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, has thousands of staff and more than 10,000 students around the world. The company provides language, computer and accounting lessons.
Song, 46, established Sunmoon in 1991 and is now a billionaire. He is a high-profile entrepreneur, frequently appearing on TV, in newspapers and at conferences. His bearded face is featured on numerous advertisements all over China. (Mu Zi)
