Chinese fraudster Zhou Zhengyi takes job as adviser to cosmetics firm
- Disgraced tycoon says he does not have a financial interest in skincare products manufacturer Honey Grow but became interested in e-commerce during the coronavirus pandemic
- Zhou was released from prison last year after serving 13 years behind bars for bribery and embezzlement
A Chinese tycoon who served 13 years in prison for bribery and embezzlement and is still wanted by Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has taken a position as an adviser to a cosmetics and skincare products manufacturer in Shanghai, according to a news report.
He is still wanted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong for allegedly conspiring with others to defraud shareholders and making false statements, but the former British colony does not have an extradition deal to bring suspects from mainland China.
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He said he did not have a financial interest in the company but had not ruled out taking a stake at a later date.
“I am no longer interested [in my past businesses] and they are being run by my family members,” he said. “I just don’t want to trouble myself with it any more and I have an uneasy feeling when I look back.”
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Despite his crimes, the disgraced tycoon still appears to have plenty of friends. Among the hundreds of guests at a party he hosted on Sunday at a hotel in Shanghai to celebrate his 60th birthday – which falls on Friday – were several presenters and hosts from local broadcaster Dragon Television, according to local media reports.
The station, however, was not happy about its stars mingling with a known felon and issued a statement saying they should not take part in social activities that were “incompatible with their status and image”.
