ID :
204074
Mon, 08/29/2011 - 06:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/204074
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(LEAD) Prosecutors question key lobbyist in savings bank probe
(LEAD) Prosecutors question key lobbyist in savings bank probe
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 1-2, 4-9, 11)
SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- A key lobbyist for a troubled savings bank has been questioned about his role in a massive influence-peddling scandal involving the bank as he voluntarily returned home earlier this week after fleeing to Canada, prosecutors said Monday.
His return is expected to give momentum to the stalled criminal investigation into the scandal.
Park Tae-gyu, 71, is suspected of helping the corruption-ridden Busan Savings Bank lobby senior officials and politicians so that the lender could avoid a suspension of operations, officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said.
Prosecutors believe he received hundreds of millions of won in lobbying funds from the bank's executives and large shareholders.
Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport on Sunday, Park was taken by investigators to the prosecution office in southern Seoul. The prosecution then executed a court-issued arrest warrant immediately after his arrival at the office.
Prosecutors said they resumed questioning him on Monday morning after a night of intensive interrogation about the allegations that have been raised so far.
The high-profile lobbyist is also accused of using his personal network to help the bank raise 100 billion won (US$92.5 million) in funds from a scholarship foundation and a local college by issuing new shares. The bank's actions ultimately caused losses for the two investors, but the lobbyist is suspected of receiving 600 million won in return for luring them to invest.
Park, however, denies his involvement in the stock issuance, according to other sources in the prosecution.
Park fled to Canada shortly before March when prosecutors began looking into allegations that the bank's executives and large shareholders inflicted losses worth 7 trillion won to the bank through financial wrongdoing, including offering illegal loans, accounting fraud and embezzlement.
The prosecution had sought forced repatriation of the fugitive while also trying to persuade him to voluntarily return home through his acquaintances and lawyer in South Korea.
He decided to voluntarily return home after hearing that the Canadian immigration was considering deporting him to Seoul, the sources said.
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in paras 1-2, 4-9, 11)
SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- A key lobbyist for a troubled savings bank has been questioned about his role in a massive influence-peddling scandal involving the bank as he voluntarily returned home earlier this week after fleeing to Canada, prosecutors said Monday.
His return is expected to give momentum to the stalled criminal investigation into the scandal.
Park Tae-gyu, 71, is suspected of helping the corruption-ridden Busan Savings Bank lobby senior officials and politicians so that the lender could avoid a suspension of operations, officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said.
Prosecutors believe he received hundreds of millions of won in lobbying funds from the bank's executives and large shareholders.
Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport on Sunday, Park was taken by investigators to the prosecution office in southern Seoul. The prosecution then executed a court-issued arrest warrant immediately after his arrival at the office.
Prosecutors said they resumed questioning him on Monday morning after a night of intensive interrogation about the allegations that have been raised so far.
The high-profile lobbyist is also accused of using his personal network to help the bank raise 100 billion won (US$92.5 million) in funds from a scholarship foundation and a local college by issuing new shares. The bank's actions ultimately caused losses for the two investors, but the lobbyist is suspected of receiving 600 million won in return for luring them to invest.
Park, however, denies his involvement in the stock issuance, according to other sources in the prosecution.
Park fled to Canada shortly before March when prosecutors began looking into allegations that the bank's executives and large shareholders inflicted losses worth 7 trillion won to the bank through financial wrongdoing, including offering illegal loans, accounting fraud and embezzlement.
The prosecution had sought forced repatriation of the fugitive while also trying to persuade him to voluntarily return home through his acquaintances and lawyer in South Korea.
He decided to voluntarily return home after hearing that the Canadian immigration was considering deporting him to Seoul, the sources said.
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
