!
Probably more true than what we think it is. There's tonnes of corruption, drugs and sex in record companies and in the entertainment business in general.
Whether Ayu was involved or not (I'm leaning towards yes as there have been rumours about her and Max's 'friendship' for years, TO BE I think is a good clarification of that), we'll never really know for sure unless she explicity confirms it.
That article provides some interesting context in terms of the friendship between hitomi and Ayu too...