(Yicai Global) Dec. 22 -- US authorities have decided not to pursue charges against Richard Liu, founder of Beijing-based e-commerce behemoth JD.Com. Police detained Liu in Minnesota in August on sexual misconduct claims.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office said in a press release "profound evidentiary problems … would have made it highly unlikely that any criminal charge could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt." 

 "As is the case in many sexual assault incidents, it was a complicated situation," Mike Freeman, the county attorney, said in the release. "It is also similar to other sexual assault cases with the suspect maintaining the sex was consensual."

"The woman was an active and willing participant and at no time did she indicate in any way that she did not consent," said Jill Brisbois, Liu's local attorney told media.

 "My interactions with this woman have still hurt my family greatly, especially my wife," Liu posted on his Twitter-like Weibo social media account. "I feel deep regret and remorse and I hope she can accept my sincere apology. I will continue to try in every possible way to repair the impact on my family and to fulfill my responsibility as a husband." 

The Chinese billionaire -- Liu Qiangdong in Chinese -- was taken into custody on Aug. 31 for sex assault against a woman university student. He denied wrongdoing and was released less than a day later to return to China.

Wil Florin, an attorney representing the plaintiff in the case in the north-central state's largest city of Minneapolis, criticized prosecutors for not meeting with his client as they weighed whether to charge Liu. His client also intends to bring a civil case against Liu, Reuters reported.

Editor: Emma Laine, Benedict Armour