Snake in the Shadows’: Baseball Star Lim Chang-yong’s Stunning U-Turn in Fraud Trial – ‘I’ll Pay Back Every Penny
Former Professional Baseball Player Lim Chang-yong Returns from Trial on Charges of Fraud Related to Gambling Funds
Former professional baseball player Lim Chang-yong (48), who was brought to trial on charges of borrowing money for gambling and not paying it back, denied all statements made by the investigative authorities during the trial and appealed to the court that he was innocent.
According to the legal community, the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court conducted witness examination procedures for Mr. Lim, who was indicted on fraud charges. Mr. Lim was indicted on charges of fraud for borrowing about 80 million won from victim A in Manila, Philippines in December 2019 and failing to repay it.
The prosecution determined that Mr. Lim borrowed the money for the purpose of using it for baccarat gambling and did not repay it. Person A, who appeared as a witness, stated, “The total amount of money I lent to Mr. Lim was 150 million won,” and “I thought Mr. Lim had repaid 70 million won of that, so I sued him for the remaining 80 million won, but another debtor (a former baseball player) is claiming that he repaid 70 million won.”
In response, Mr. Lim stated, “I didn’t know the exact amount I borrowed because I received the money in casino chips,” and “I thought I had sufficiently repaid the money I borrowed by paying Mr. A 70 million won, which was presumed to be the amount of chips.”
Regarding the investigation agency’s admission of non-payment of gambling funds, the authorities explained that Mr. Lim had changed his statement with the intention of properly responding to the disadvantage. As Mr. Lim has changed all of his confessions during the investigation, the prosecution has decided to consider changing the indictment.
The next trial for Mr. Lim is scheduled for October 14. Mr. Lim was a veteran pitcher who was named to the list of 40 legends for the 40th anniversary of the launch of the KBO League and played for the national team in the WBC. He joined the Haitai Tigers in 1995 and finished his career with the KIA Tigers in 2018, and became known for his signature, squirming ‘snake fastball.’