Public Official Receives Suspended Sentence in First Trial for Embezzling Tens of Millions from Garbage Bag Fees

Daejeon Public Official Embezzles 39 Million Won
Sentenced to 10 Months Imprisonment, 2 Years Probation

A public official belonging to a district office in Daejeon was sentenced to a prison term with a suspended sentence for embezzling 39 million won from payments for volume-based waste bags and food waste payment certificates.

On the 13th, Yonhap News reported that the Criminal Division 11 of the Daejeon District Court sentenced Mr. A, a public official of a certain district office in Daejeon who was indicted on charges of embezzlement of public funds under his management (embezzlement in the course of duty), to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence.

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) [Photo source=Pixabay]

Mr. A, affiliated with a district office in Daejeon, is accused of embezzling 1.9 million won deposited from sales of volume-based waste bags and food waste payment certificates on May 30 of last year from his office, using it for personal debt repayment and entertainment expenses. It is known that he embezzled a total of 39 million won in sales proceeds over 12 occasions until October of the same year.

He reportedly transferred amounts ranging from as much as 5 million won to as little as 800,000 won twelve times in total, sending all 39 million won to his personal bank account for use. However, Mr. A eventually voluntarily reported his actions to the district office audit department.

The district office stated that during the audit, it was confirmed that Mr. A used the embezzled money for his mother's medical expenses and partially to repay loans. It is known that all the embezzled money was returned during the trial process.

Subsequently, in February, the Daejeon City held a personnel committee meeting and requested the highest level of disciplinary action, dismissal, for the district office to which Mr. A belonged. The district office accepted this and processed his dismissal.

The court explained the sentencing by saying, "Considering the motive and method of the crime, the culpability is serious," and "taking into account that he is currently reflecting on his wrongdoing, voluntarily reported to the district office audit department, and returned all the embezzled funds during the trial process, thereby restoring the damage."

Earlier, on the 10th, a current public official of Seogwipo City Hall in Jeju was caught by the Board of Audit and Inspection for embezzling payments for government supplies and received severe disciplinary action. This official was found to have embezzled money by registering his own bank account in the e-Hojo system to divert public funds. Subsequently, the Board of Audit and Inspection reportedly conveyed to Seogwipo City the opinion that Mr. A should be subject to dismissal, the most severe disciplinary action, under the Local Public Officials Act.

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