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	Scandal Tainted Taoist Priest Steps down By Jia Cheng Global Times August 29 2010 http://china.globaltimes.cn/society/2010-08/568241.html A Taoist priest accused of raping a female follower and evading tax has stepped down from the People's Political Consultative Conference in Chongqing and as the deputy head of the Chinese Taoist Association. The association said in a notice on its website that Li Yi had submitted his resignation to protect the reputation of Taoism. The China News Service (CNS) reported Saturday that Li also resigned from the Chongqing People's Political Consultative Conference. Li, who was dubbed a "health-preserving master", had about 30,000 followers, including renowned figures such as Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, and pop singer Faye Wong. He is known for charging outlandish tuition fees for his classes. A five-day health and philosophy training class at the Shaolong temple in Chongqing, where Li is an abbot, costs 3,800 yuan ($559), and a seven-day class cost 9,000 yuan ($1,323). A school established by Li was also accused of evading tax. Accoridng to the CNS report, the school had not been registered with the local tax department. The report said the authority would demand a tax settlement from the school and impose a fine. "Illegal tax issues regarding the school and Li reflect flaws that exist in Chinese law," Feng Yujun, a law school professor from the Renmin University of China told the Global Times.Feng added that more details and specific clauses should be added to regulations on religious affairs, He went on and said that Li Yi should not be allowed to run businesses using Taoist culture and by cheating his followers.
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