Head of Anti-Fakes Group Closely Tied to Alibaba, Owns Stock

SHANGHAI, China — An investigation by The Associated Press has found that the president of an influential anti-counterfeiting group owns Alibaba stock, has close ties to a key Alibaba vice president and uses family members to run his coalition.

At issue is the independence of the small but influential International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, which lobbies US officials and testifies before Congress.

The coalition recently admitted Alibaba as a member, prompting companies including Gucci America and Tiffany to quit. Critics consider the Chinese e-commerce giant the world's largest marketplace for fakes.

A former member of the coalition's board said she hadn't known that its president, Robert Barchiesi, owned Alibaba stock. She says that crosses a line ethically. The coalition says Barchiesi's performance has been "exemplary" and that he has the board's support.