Sports Association Employee with Fraud and Theft Record Embezzles Tens of Millions in Subsidies, Wastes on Gambling

Appellate Court: "Tangible and Intangible Damages Are Absolutely Not Insignificant," Sentences 2 Years Imprisonment

[Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-chul] An employee affiliated with the Gangwon Province Sports Council, who has a criminal record for fraud and theft, was sentenced to imprisonment again in the appellate court for habitually embezzling subsidies and athlete training expenses and squandering them on illegal sports gambling.

The Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Cheong-mi) announced on the 20th that "A (38), who was indicted on charges of embezzlement in the course of duty and violation of the National Sports Promotion Act, was sentenced to 2 years in prison."

The appellate court pointed out, "At first, the crime was committed by embezzling the remaining project funds that should have been returned, but gradually became bolder and used all project funds for gambling money, etc."

It added, "There is considerable tangible and intangible damage, such as the project to provide sports equipment and training expenses to the assigned elementary and middle schools not being properly operated," but also stated, "The original sentence is somewhat heavy."

A was indicted for embezzling about 80 million won, including 70 million won in subsidies related to a soccer tournament, 57 times over six months starting in June last year.

He is also charged with forging multiple withdrawal slips in the name of the Sports Council and stealing a bankbook in the name of the Sports Council to cover the embezzled subsidies.

A squandered more than 120 million won over 529 instances, including using the embezzled subsidies as funds for sports gambling.

Previously, the first trial court sentenced A to 2 years and 6 months in prison, stating, "He received a fine for fraud in 2019 and was given a suspended indictment for theft in 2016."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.