Former Aide to Lawmaker Baek Jong-heon Indicted While Detained Over Alleged Acceptance of 95 Million Won in Bribes

[Financial News] The former aide to People Power Party lawmaker Baek Jong-heon was indicted while in detention on charges of accepting more than 95 million won in bribes from the CEO of a healthcare startup.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 1, headed by Chief Prosecutor Guk Won, said on the 30th that it had indicted A, 46, a former aide in the office of People Power Party lawmaker Baek Jong-heon, while in detention on charges including accepting bribes. B, 39, the CEO of a healthcare startup who allegedly embezzled approximately 900 million won in company funds and handed over approximately 95 million won in bribes, was also indicted while in detention on charges including embezzlement and offering bribes.
According to the prosecution's investigation, A allegedly used his authority as an aide to arrange for government agencies to use a program operated by B's company and to provide B with information about the progress of an investigation by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In return, B allegedly falsely hired one of A's relatives as a company employee and paid a salary in the relative's name to deliver the bribes.
A false hiring arrangement was also uncovered in the lawmaker's office where A worked. An acquaintance of A was listed only nominally as a secretary in the office and received approximately 33 million won in salary. Prosecutors indicted the acquaintance without detention on charges including fraud.
Prosecutors launched the investigation in earnest after searching A's residence and the company on June 17.
A false hiring arrangement was also uncovered in the lawmaker's office where A worked. An acquaintance of A was listed only nominally as a secretary in the office and received approximately 33 million won in salary. Prosecutors indicted the acquaintance without detention on charges including fraud.
B also faces allegations of defrauding approximately 440 million won in subsidies by submitting a false proposal for a project commissioned by a public institution. On the 26th of last month, prosecutors additionally searched Baek's office to examine work computers and other equipment used by A while working there.
The Seoul Central District Court had earlier issued arrest warrants for A and B on the 12th on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
[email protected] Lee Chang-hoon Reporter