Broker Sentenced to Prison for Accepting Bribes‌ from Illegal Gambling Site

A⁤ broker who​ received money and valuables from the head of an illegal gambling site while requesting that he not investigate, was sentenced to prison on appeal.

On November 3rd, the Daegu District Court 2-3 Criminal Appellate Division (Chief Judge Nam Geun-wook) overturned the original decision and sentenced Broker A (54) ​to 1 year and 3 months in prison in the appeal trial for violating the Attorney-at-Law Act. The court also ordered a fine⁢ of 50 million won.

In July of last year, Mr. ⁤A received 50 million ⁣won from⁢ Mr. B, the general manager who was under investigation for operating an illegal Internet‍ gambling‍ site, in the name of activity fees to ​scuttle the investigation. He approached the police officer in charge of the case with​ whom he was acquainted and stole information about the ‍progress of the investigation. It was revealed that⁣ he had ‍found out in advance the scheduled date of execution of the arrest warrant so that Mr. B could escape in advance.

Previously, in‍ July, the first trial⁤ court⁢ sentenced⁣ Mr. A to 1 year ⁢and⁢ 6 months in⁤ prison and ordered him ⁢to pay⁤ an additional fine of​ 50 million won.

The police officer in ​charge of the case, who ​was found to have received⁤ money and entertainment⁣ from Mr. A‍ on several⁤ occasions and provided investigative information, is currently being ⁢indicted​ and is being tried on charges⁣ of corruption after receiving a bribe.

The appellate⁤ court stated, “The defendant showed off his friendship with‍ the police officer,‌ accepted money under the pretext of favoring the person, and allowed the actual criminal to escape, so ⁢the nature of the crime was very bad.” However, the court took into account the fact that he reflected on​ the ⁣crime and paid the⁢ full fine at the end of the trial.

Daegu = Reporter Kim Deok-yong kimdy@segye.com