Samsung vice chair Lee sentenced to 5 years prison in bribery case

Nieuws Mobiel Korea, republiek van 25 AUG 2017
Samsung vice chair Lee sentenced to 5 years prison in bribery case

A court in Seoul has sentenced Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jay Lee to five years in prison, finding him guilty of bribery, embezzlement and other charges in a massive corruption scandal that led to the downfall of former Korean President Park Geun-hye, reports Yonhap news agency. 

The Seoul Central District Court found that Lee was involved in Samsung's provision of KRW 7.2 billion (USD 6.38 million) in bribes for the equestrian training of the daughter of Park's longtime friend and confidante Choi Soon-sil. First arrested in February, Lee was also convicted of embezzlement, hiding assets overseas and perjury.

Korean prosecutors had demanded 12 years in jail for Lee on charges that he offered up to KRW 43.3 billion to win government approval for a merger of two Samsung subsidiaries under terms designed to increase his control over the Samsung group. According to a report from the BBC, Lee admitted to paying the money, but has denied that he asked for government support. 

Lee, who was considered the heir to his father's position as chairman of Samsung, is expected to appeal the court decision. 

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Mobiel

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Samsung

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Korea, republiek van

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Legislation - Lawsuits

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