Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor, Lee Jong-ho Summoned for Investigation... 'Butler Gate' Investigation Accelerates

[Financial News] The special prosecutor team for Kim Geon-hee (Min Jung-gi special prosecutor) is investigating Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment, in connection with the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation suspicion'.
The special prosecutor team announced that they are summoning the former CEO as a reference in relation to the violation of the Capital Markets Act on the 21st. The former CEO was arrested on the 15th for violating the Attorney-at-Law Act.
The former CEO appeared in the 'Sambu Construction stock manipulation suspicion' as it became known that he left a message saying 'Check Sambu tomorrow' in a messenger group chat before the stock price surge. In the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation suspicion', he was identified as the control tower of stock manipulation and emerged as a key suspect. He is also under suspicion for lobbying related to the exoneration of Brigade Commander Lim Seong-geun in connection with the death of Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong.
The special prosecutor team is expected to question the former CEO about whether Mrs. Kim Geon-hee was involved in the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation suspicion'. Although he is initially being summoned as a reference, there is a possibility of being converted to a suspect depending on the investigation process.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team plans to summon Kim Ye-seong, identified as Mrs. Kim's 'butler', and Min Kyung-min, CEO of Oasis Equity Partners, for questioning on the 22nd in relation to the 'Butler Gate'.
The 'Butler Gate' involves IMS Mobility (Be My Car), which Mr. Kim was involved in establishing, receiving a corporate investment of 18.4 billion won through the private equity firm Oasis Equity Partners, with the main point being that Mr. Kim used Mrs. Kim's identity in the process.
The special prosecutor team suspects that Mr. Kim used Mrs. Kim's identity for quid pro quo investments related to the legal risks of each company. They are also expanding the investigation, believing that Mr. Kim embezzled 3.38872 billion won through a company called Innovest Korea.



theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter