Prosecutors Demand 5-Year Prison Sentence for Optimus Broker Who Fled Without Warrant Review

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution requested the court to impose a heavy sentence on the broker of Optimus Asset Management (Optimus), who was captured and brought to trial after evading arrest for four months.

On the 18th, the prosecution demanded a five-year prison sentence at the sentencing hearing of broker Ki Mo, held under the presiding of Judge No Ho-sung of the 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant bribed Yoon Mo, the representative of small shareholders of Haeduk Powerway, deceived innocent small shareholders, shamelessly misled the judiciary, and attempted to provide money and valuables to Financial Supervisory Service officials once the investigation began. The nature of the crime is severe," adding, "A heavy punishment is inevitable."

Ki said, "I do not deny the charges," and "I am fully aware of my wrongdoing and repent." Ki's defense attorney appealed, "There is doubt whether the defendant's crime was truly leading or central," and "Please consider the defendant's sincere remorse since the incident."

Ki is accused of receiving 20 million won from CEO Kim under the pretext of lobbying a former Financial Supervisory Service official, along with broker Shin Mo, a former entertainment agency CEO, who was previously indicted (violation of the Attorney-at-Law Act).

He is also charged with fraud for receiving 1.65 billion won from CEO Kim, promising to pay bribes to Yoon Mo, the representative of small shareholders, regarding the exercise of voting rights at the shareholders' meeting of Haeduk Powerway, a ship parts company acquired with Optimus funds, but only delivering 650 million won and pocketing the remaining 1 billion won.

In November last year, when the prosecution requested an arrest warrant, Ki fled without attending the pre-arrest interrogation. After four months on the run, Ki was captured last March, admitted all charges at trial, and pleaded for leniency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.