South Korean Lawyer Found Guilty of Embezzling Police Settlement Funds for Cryptocurrency Trading
Odaily News A lawyer in his 40s, who had a cooperation agreement with the North Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency and had long represented police officers in damage compensation lawsuits, has been found guilty by the court for embezzling settlement funds and using them for virtual currency investments.
The Cheongju District Court's single-judge criminal division ruled on January 24 that the lawyer, while representing three police officers in civil compensation claims against suspects charged with obstructing official duties, privately intercepted a 6 million won settlement payment made by the opposing party after the case was resolved through court mediation in April 2021. He deposited the funds into his personal account for cryptocurrency investment, constituting the crime of business embezzlement. The court sentenced him to a fine of 10 million won.
The court stated that the defendant, as a lawyer, embezzled client property, which is a serious offense. However, considering that he pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and had no prior criminal record, the court made the aforementioned sentencing decision.
