Former manager of Park Na-rae fully denies joint extortion charges: "Demanded a reasonable amount" [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Former manager Lee, who was indicted on charges of demanding a portion of the company's revenue from broadcaster Park Na-rae, fully denied the allegations.

On the morning of the 20th, Criminal Division 4 (Judge Kim Su-gyeong (Director)) of the Seoul Western District Court held the second hearing for former managers Shin and Lee, who were sent to trial on charges including violation of the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts (joint extortion).

On this day, Lee's attorney argued, "The defendant (Lee) merely demanded a reasonable amount that should have been received after the termination of the employment relationship with the victim. There was no intimidation of the victim (hereinafter Park Na-rae) to extort money, and there is no fact of conspiracy with Shin."

In response, the court asked Lee's side, "You are saying that there is absolutely no fact of conspiracy (with Shin), and what Lee demanded was unpaid wages or allowances, not a request for a certain percentage?" to confirm, and Lee's side replied, "Yes," fully denying the charges.

At the first hearing held on the 29th of last month, Shin's side denied most of the prosecution facts, except for part of the charge of embezzlement in the course of duty.

At that time, Shin's attorney argued, "We do not admit the charges. The defendant (Shin) has the right to receive money under the name of severance pay and others (from Park Na-rae), there is no fact of notifying termination of contract, and no fact of demanding 500 million won. There was no demand for money on the condition of a media tip-off, so there is no act or intent of extortion, and the requirements for joint extortion are not met."

Shin also faces charges of fraud by use of computers etc., having transferred approximately 24 million won from Park Na-rae's company account to the corporate account of a corporation he operates. Regarding this, Shin's side denied the charge, stating, "It was money paid according to a bonus agreement, and the defendant did not directly transfer the money."

Furthermore, Shin is also charged with receiving 44 million won in service fees for a popup event that Park Na-rae was supposed to receive into the corporate account of a corporation he operates, and arbitrarily using 36.5 million won of it. Regarding this charge, Shin's side stated their position, "We deny the charges because the transfer was made with Park Na-rae's approval."

According to the Prosecution Service, the two are charged with demanding 250 million won, equivalent to 10% of the company's revenue in 2024, while making claims to the effect that "Park Na-rae used company funds privately for her ex-boyfriend and others." However, it was investigated that they did not actually receive the money, so the crime remained an attempt.

Currently, Park Na-rae is in a state of suspending all activities amid controversy over unfair treatment by managers. Former managers filed complaints against Park Na-rae on suspicions including unfair treatment and illegal acts, charging her with special aggravated assault and defamation by stating false facts, among others. In response, Park Na-rae filed counter-complaints against the former managers on charges such as attempted extortion and embezzlement in the course of duty.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original