Comedian Park Na-rae to face court over former manager's 'joint extortion' charges… witnesses called [Star Scene] [Summary]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Former managers Mr. Shin and Mr. Im, who were indicted on charges of demanding a portion of the company's revenue from broadcaster Park Na-rae, both 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 Mr. Shin and Mr. Lee, who were prosecuted on charges including violation of the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts, etc. (joint extortion).

On this day, Mr. Shin appeared in court wearing a light green prison uniform, while Mr. Lee wore a mask.

Mr. Lee's defense attorney argued, "The defendant (Mr. Lee) merely demanded the appropriate amount he was entitled to receive after his employment relationship with the victim ended. He has never threatened the victim (hereinafter Park Na-rae) to extort money, and there is no fact that he conspired with Mr. Shin."

In response, the court asked the defense side of Mr. Lee, "You are saying that there was absolutely no conspiracy (with Mr. Shin), and that what Mr. Lee demanded was unpaid wages or allowances, not a request for a certain percentage?" The defense side replied, "That is correct," and completely denied the charges.

Mr. Shin's side raised the claim that Park Na-rae illegally collected evidence, following their argument in the first hearing. The court asked again, "Are you saying that we only need to judge on the part regarding illegally collected evidence?" Mr. Shin's side answered, "It is an argument of that nature."

The court decided to call Park Na-rae as a witness for cross-examination at the next hearing date.

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

At that time, Mr. Shin's defense attorney argued, "We do not admit to the charges. The defendant (Mr. Shin) has the right to receive money under the name of severance pay and other reasons from (Park Na-rae), there is no fact that he notified of contract termination, and no fact that he demanded 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.'"

Mr. Shin also faces charges of fraud by use of computer, etc., for transferring approximately 24 million won from Park Na-rae's company account to the corporate account he operates. Regarding this, Mr. Shin's side denied the charges, stating, "It was money paid according to a performance bonus agreement, and the defendant has never directly transferred the money."

Furthermore, Mr. 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 his own corporate account and arbitrarily using 36.5 million won of it. Regarding this charge, Mr. 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 abusive treatment by managers. The former managers filed complaints against Park Na-rae on charges including special injury and defamation through false facts, raising suspicions of abusive treatment and illegal acts against her. In response, Park Na-rae filed counter-complaints against the former managers on charges such as attempted extortion and embezzlement in the course of business.

Meanwhile, the next hearing date regarding this matter will be continued in December or January.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original