Museum 'covered up staff ticket cash scandal'
By Claire Wang |
August 11, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE National Palace Museum in Beijing is alleged to have paid 100,000 yuan (US$15,588) to a blackmailer to cover up a scandal in which security guards and tourist guides are said to have embezzled ticket income.
Guides from travel agencies conspired with museum guards, it is claimed.
Guards allowed visitors to enter the museum, housed in the Forbidden City, without buying tickets.
Later, visitors paid the ticket price directly to tour guides, who shared the spoils with guards, the Caixin Century magazine reported yesterday.
All ticket revenue should be handed over to the Ministry of Finance.
The scam was widespread and it is unknown how much money was siphoned off, reported the magazine, citing unnamed insiders.
Brazen guards and guides are said to have carried out their money-making scheme openly.
Someone recorded the whole process and blackmailed the museum for 200,000 yuan in 2009.
The report didn't reveal the identity of the blackmailer.
Instead of calling police, the museum sent a director to negotiate, bargaining the price down to 100,000 yuan and paying up, the report said.
Only one temporary worker was fired.
Ironically, the security department of the museum was even honored as a model department by the museum.
The museum hasn't responded to the allegations.
This is the latest in a series of recent embarrassing incidents to hit the museum.
Earlier this month, it was accused of covering up that a rare Song Dynasty porcelain plate was broken during scientific tests.
And the museum this week rejected claims that it covered up that an antique wooden folding screen was damaged during cleaning.
Guides from travel agencies conspired with museum guards, it is claimed.
Guards allowed visitors to enter the museum, housed in the Forbidden City, without buying tickets.
Later, visitors paid the ticket price directly to tour guides, who shared the spoils with guards, the Caixin Century magazine reported yesterday.
All ticket revenue should be handed over to the Ministry of Finance.
The scam was widespread and it is unknown how much money was siphoned off, reported the magazine, citing unnamed insiders.
Brazen guards and guides are said to have carried out their money-making scheme openly.
Someone recorded the whole process and blackmailed the museum for 200,000 yuan in 2009.
The report didn't reveal the identity of the blackmailer.
Instead of calling police, the museum sent a director to negotiate, bargaining the price down to 100,000 yuan and paying up, the report said.
Only one temporary worker was fired.
Ironically, the security department of the museum was even honored as a model department by the museum.
The museum hasn't responded to the allegations.
This is the latest in a series of recent embarrassing incidents to hit the museum.
Earlier this month, it was accused of covering up that a rare Song Dynasty porcelain plate was broken during scientific tests.
And the museum this week rejected claims that it covered up that an antique wooden folding screen was damaged during cleaning.
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