ID :
185096
Sun, 05/29/2011 - 09:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/185096
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Prosecutors question ex-top state audit official in influence-peddling scandal
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors questioned a former top official of the state audit agency Sunday over allegations that he took bribes from a now-suspended savings bank seeking his influence to avoid punishment for extending illegal loans and other irregularities.
Eun Jin-soo, who resigned last week as a top member of the Board of Audit and Inspection, is accused of accepting 70 million won (US$64,635) in cash and a diamond jewel worth about 30 million won from Busan Savings Bank. His brother is also suspected of taking 100 million won from the bank.
"I am sorry for causing concern," Eun told reporters after arriving at the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in southern Seoul. "I will undergo questioning in a sincere attitude so that truth will come to light according to the judicial procedures."
Eun, a former prosecutor who worked for President Lee Myung-bak ahead of the 2007 presidential election, appeared to be denying charges against him, saying many media reports are "different from the truth."
"I believe the truth will come to light through objective evidence," he said.
Busan Savings Bank was found to have engaged in extending illegal loans to large shareholders and other financial irregularities involving billions of dollars in total. The bank has also been accused of tipping off their employees' relatives and VIP customers about their impending suspension in February so as to help them withdraw their deposits in advance.
Prosecutors obtained testimonies from a lobbyist for the savings bank that Eun received hundreds of millions of won in bribes. Investigators believe Eun tried to exercise his influence to help the bank avoid an investigation by financial regulators.
Should Eun's charges be confirmed, prosecutors plan to seek an arrest warrant for him.
(END)
Eun Jin-soo, who resigned last week as a top member of the Board of Audit and Inspection, is accused of accepting 70 million won (US$64,635) in cash and a diamond jewel worth about 30 million won from Busan Savings Bank. His brother is also suspected of taking 100 million won from the bank.
"I am sorry for causing concern," Eun told reporters after arriving at the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in southern Seoul. "I will undergo questioning in a sincere attitude so that truth will come to light according to the judicial procedures."
Eun, a former prosecutor who worked for President Lee Myung-bak ahead of the 2007 presidential election, appeared to be denying charges against him, saying many media reports are "different from the truth."
"I believe the truth will come to light through objective evidence," he said.
Busan Savings Bank was found to have engaged in extending illegal loans to large shareholders and other financial irregularities involving billions of dollars in total. The bank has also been accused of tipping off their employees' relatives and VIP customers about their impending suspension in February so as to help them withdraw their deposits in advance.
Prosecutors obtained testimonies from a lobbyist for the savings bank that Eun received hundreds of millions of won in bribes. Investigators believe Eun tried to exercise his influence to help the bank avoid an investigation by financial regulators.
Should Eun's charges be confirmed, prosecutors plan to seek an arrest warrant for him.
(END)
