The incident involving a chef reporting the use of swill oil at a high-end restaurant in Kuanzhai Alley, which garnered significant attention, finally saw new developments yesterday. According to a joint announcement from the Qingyang District Food Safety Committee Office and the Qingyang District Public Security Bureau of the Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau, the video about "swill oil" was actually self-written, self-directed, and self-acted by the reporter Li Mou! Li Mou, who had originally intended to use this as retaliation and blackmail, now regrets his initial actions immensely.
Investigation Results:
The Reported Video Was Staged
The announcement stated that regarding the food safety issues reported by Li Mou, the municipal Party committee and municipal government took it very seriously, demanding swift investigation by the public security organs and the drug administration departments. The Food and Drug Crime Investigation Brigade of the Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau, in conjunction with the Qingyang District Food and Drug Crime Investigation Detachment, worked together with the Qingyang District Food Safety Office and the Qingyang District Food and Drug Administration for an investigation. Through analysis of the video materials provided by Li Mou, on-site inspections at the "Three Bricks" club, and multiple inquiries with Li Mou and relevant personnel at the club, it has been determined that Li Mou's report about the "Three Bricks" club using "swill oil" is inaccurate. Originally, after learning that the club management planned to dismiss him, Li Mou was extremely dissatisfied and conspired with another club chef, Mou Mou. Li Mou staged the act of retrieving "gutter oil" from the sewer while Mou Mou filmed it with a mobile phone. Li Mou's intent was to fabricate a false video showing the use of "swill oil" for retaliation and blackmail against the "Three Bricks" club.
Chef's Regret:
Willing to Apologize and Mitigate Impact
Currently, both Li Mou and Mou Mou have truthfully confessed to the fabrication of the false video. In the police interrogation video provided by the Qingyang District Food Safety Office, Li Mou admitted that the swill oil in the video was collected by himself, and he had filmed two videos. The first one was filmed on December 13th last year; due to operating alone, the result was not satisfactory. Therefore, he called upon Mou Mou, and they filmed again on December 15th using a mobile phone. "I didn't expect such serious consequences," Li Mou said, expressing deep regret over the fabrication of facts and damage to the commercial reputation of the "Three Bricks" club, stating his willingness to apologize and mitigate the impact.
Previously, Li Mou injured manager Cai Mou, resulting in six stitches on Cai Mou's head. Based on the "Regulations on Public Security Administration Punishments of the People's Republic of China," the Huangwa Street Police Station imposed an administrative detention of ten days and a fine of 200 yuan on Li Mou. As of now, neither the Qingyang District Food Safety Committee Office nor the Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau Qingyang District Branch has pursued further responsibility from Li Mou.
Scene:
Sparse Business, Only Two Tables Booked Last Night
Yesterday afternoon at around 4 PM, Chengdu Evening News reporters revisited the "Three Bricks" dining club located at No. 1 Narrow Alley. At this time, there were no guests in the club, but the chefs were already preparing dinner in the kitchen. Miss Li from the front desk reception mentioned that only two tables were booked for the evening, significantly less than before. "This should be our peak business period, but our six private rooms are far from full, averaging just two or three tables per day!" Miss Li said that Li Mou's statements had brought significant negative effects to the dining club. "Those coming to dine are all old customers, and they still trust 'Three Bricks'!"
Boss: Most Concerned About Brand Damage, Unwilling to Pursue Further Responsibility
Meanwhile, through a telephone call, the reporter also connected with Wang Hong, the investor of the "Three Bricks" dining club. He said that after the incident, he was troubled every day, and his wife advised him to go on a business trip to adjust his mindset. Thus, he went to Guangzhou before New Year’s Day and would return to Chengdu in a few days. He was unaware of the joint announcement issued by the Qingyang District Food Safety Office and the Qingyang Public Security Bureau.
"Recently, many employees have used the excuse of returning home for the Spring Festival, wanting to leave early!" After hearing the content of the announcement from the reporter, Wang Hong did not directly comment but instead complained. He mentioned that since the incident on December 18th, "Three Bricks" had hardly received any bookings, and more than 50 reserved banquets were canceled. Wang Hong believed that some employees might have considered the current state of the company and decided to leave. "Our middle and upper-level cadres have conducted one-on-one reassurances with the employees and held several all-staff meetings!"
"I am most concerned about the brand, the cultural brand of the enterprise!" Wang Hong emphasized that the company was developing very well, but this sudden incident caused him great concern. So, how exactly will Wang Hong handle the follow-up matters, and will he pursue responsibility from Li Mou? Under persistent questioning from the reporter, Wang Hong thought for a moment and said that he reserves the right to pursue responsibility from the other party. "Even if I win the lawsuit, mobilizing students to pick up trash on the street causing controversy, a compensation of 500,000 yuan from him would be meaningless!" Wang Hong added that compared to Li Mou, he is the stronger party, and one should forgive where forgiveness is possible.
Regarding Li Mou's accomplice, Mou Mou, Wang Hong was even more lenient. "He is also a victim, being taken advantage of!" Wang Hong said that in his impression, Mou Mou was a naive young boy. According to his understanding, after Li Mou treated Mou Mou to a hot pot meal, they reached a "cooperation" agreement. "He (Mou Mou) is still working here, and we will not fire him!" Wang Hong said.
In addition, Wang Hong also mentioned that after Li Mou was released from the detention center, he came back to "Three Bricks" to cause trouble, attempting to retrieve his unsettled wages. "He injured someone, and the medical expenses were paid by the company, it's simply..." Subsequently, the reporter attempted to interview the involved party, Li Mou, but regrettably could not establish contact.
News Flashback
On the morning of December 18, 2011, chef Li Mou reported that the "Three Bricks" club at No. 1 Narrow Alley was suspected of using "swill oil." The club's response was that Li Mou's skills did not meet the requirements, and after multiple attempts to persuade him to leave, he harbored resentment and intended to frame them in retaliation. On the same day the chef made the report, earlier that day, he had a verbal dispute with club manager Cai Mou due to forced termination, and even struck Cai Mou on the head with an iron spoon used for cooking. Although the Qingyang District Food and Drug Administration Inspection Team initially determined that there were no traces of swill oil usage at the club, the chef provided secretly filmed video clips as evidence, leaving "Three Bricks" shrouded in the swill oil scandal.
Chengdu Evening News reporters Zhang Ou and Suo Qiancheng contributed to this article, with photographs by Li Yulong.