Famous Band Vocalist's Father Convicted of 'Sales Agency Fraud', Suspended Sentence in Second Trial

"Offering Apartment Sales Agency Rights" to Fraudulently Obtain 900 Million Won
Sentenced to 3 Years Imprisonment in First Trial, Reduced to 2 Years 6 Months on Appeal

The father of a famous band vocalist, who was sentenced to prison and detained in court after being convicted in the first trial for a multi-billion won fraud scheme involving promises of apartment sales agency rights, was released after receiving a suspended sentence in the appellate trial.

According to a Yonhap News report on the 14th, the Suwon District Court Criminal Appeals Division 7 (Chief Judge Kim Byung-su) overturned the original verdict in the appeal trial of Mr. A (65) on fraud charges and sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year suspended sentence. Previously, Mr. A was sentenced to 3 years in prison in the first trial last December.

Suwon District Court exterior [Image source=Yonhap News]

Between September and December 2017, Mr. A was experiencing financial difficulties while promoting a new mixed-use apartment construction project in Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. He was charged with fraud for deceiving the victim company, Corporation C, by falsely promising "apartment sales agency rights, regional housing association project agency rights, and civil engineering contract rights," and receiving 900 million won. At the time, Mr. A was in such financial distress that he could not even properly pay the deposit for the land sales contract for the project site. Investigations also revealed that he had neither the intention nor the ability to provide the various agency rights he promised.

The appellate court stated the sentencing rationale, saying, "Considering the circumstances and methods leading to the crime, including embezzling 900 million won from the victim company, and the scale of the damage, the nature of the crime is quite serious, which is unfavorable to the defendant. However, the defendant sincerely apologized to the victim company, compensated for the damages, and reached a settlement."