Former University Professor Who Received Probation After Embezzling Government Subsidy Funds Sentenced to Prison in Appeal Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A former university professor who was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial for embezzling government subsidy funds through false tax invoices has been sentenced to actual imprisonment in the appellate trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of Daejeon High Court (Chief Judge Lee Jun-myung) announced on the 29th that A (58), who was indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud), was sentenced to three years in prison.

A is accused of embezzling 940 million won from government subsidies related to a government specialization project while working as a professor at a university in Cheonan, Chungnam from 2014 to 2019.

It was investigated that A fabricated false tax invoices to execute payments for online lectures and research equipment purchases that never actually occurred, then reclaimed the funds and concealed the criminal proceeds through accounts of relatives.

The first trial court, Criminal Division 1 of Cheonan Branch of Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Won Yong-il), sentenced A to three years in prison with a five-year suspended sentence, but the appellate court overturned the original ruling and imposed an actual prison sentence considering the defendant’s status as an intellectual and a social leader.

The court explained the reason for the sentence, stating, "The damage caused by the defendant’s crime still burdens all citizens," and "The defendant misled those around him into believing that the crime was not a serious issue, giving the impression that corruption is widespread in society."

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