ID :
12679
Wed, 07/16/2008 - 11:50
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https://oananews.org//node/12679
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Guilty verdict for Muraoka to be finalized+
TOKYO, July 16 Kyodo - The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka who was found guilty by the Tokyo High Court of concealing a 100 million yen political donation from a dental lobby to a Liberal Democratic Party faction in violation of the political funds control law, judicial sourcessaid Tuesday.
The high court sentenced Muraoka, 76, to 10 months in prison, suspended for three years, in May last year, overturning a lower court's acquittal.
While Muraoka consistently pleaded not guilty, Presiding Justice Tokuji Izumi at the top court's first petty bench ruled Monday that the high court's decision is appropriate, the sources said.
According to the high court ruling, Muraoka conspired with a treasurer of the faction, led by late former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, in March 2002 not to report to the internal affairs and communications minister the 100 million yen donation provided by the Japan Dental Association.
The focus of the trial was on whether the testimony of the treasurer that Muraoka played the leading role in keeping the donation of funds off the books was trustworthy.
The Tokyo District Court determined that the testimony was ''unnatural and untrustworthy,'' acquitting Muraoka in March 2006, but the high court determined it was ''rational, concrete and consistent in its core elements,'' finding the former senior lawmaker guilty.
The treasurer was also convicted in connection with the donation scandal and was also sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for four years.
The high court sentenced Muraoka, 76, to 10 months in prison, suspended for three years, in May last year, overturning a lower court's acquittal.
While Muraoka consistently pleaded not guilty, Presiding Justice Tokuji Izumi at the top court's first petty bench ruled Monday that the high court's decision is appropriate, the sources said.
According to the high court ruling, Muraoka conspired with a treasurer of the faction, led by late former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, in March 2002 not to report to the internal affairs and communications minister the 100 million yen donation provided by the Japan Dental Association.
The focus of the trial was on whether the testimony of the treasurer that Muraoka played the leading role in keeping the donation of funds off the books was trustworthy.
The Tokyo District Court determined that the testimony was ''unnatural and untrustworthy,'' acquitting Muraoka in March 2006, but the high court determined it was ''rational, concrete and consistent in its core elements,'' finding the former senior lawmaker guilty.
The treasurer was also convicted in connection with the donation scandal and was also sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for four years.
