[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Lawyers who emphasized their connections with prosecutors and collected hundreds of millions of won in legal fees under the pretext of settling cases have been brought to trial. Among them is a former prosecutor turned lawyer.
The Economic Crime Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Joo Min-cheol) announced on the 17th that it has indicted former prosecutor turned lawyer A (65, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 10) and another lawyer B (50, class 32) without detention on charges of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act.
A is accused of receiving 250 million won in legal fees from client C in June 2014, who was under simultaneous investigation for a 30 billion won loan fraud case by the Special 4 Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and for stock manipulation by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, by claiming, "I know well the prosecutors in charge of the case and the investigation leadership, so I can help you receive leniency."
B is accused of receiving 270 million won from C between June 2014 and January 2015 under the pretext of socializing with prosecutors and making requests.
A prosecution official stated, "Although the two lawyers received money from C under the name of legal fees, it was confirmed that they did not actually submit a power of attorney or conduct defense in court."
Under the Attorney-at-Law Act, lawyers cannot represent or defend cases in court or investigations without submitting a power of attorney or authorization to the court or investigative agencies. Additionally, receiving money, gifts, or entertainment under the pretext of requests or mediation related to cases handled by public officials is subject to punishment.
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