The Anti-Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (ACIO) has concluded that there is no evidence of wrongdoing by former Congressman Taeyoungho, who was accused of receiving “splitting sponsorship funds.”
The ACIO’s Investigation Division 3 (led by Chief Prosecutor Park Seok-il) announced that they have decided not to indict former Congressman Taeyoungho on charges of violating the Political Fund Act and Public Official Election Act.
Former Congressman Taeyoungho was suspected of receiving sponsorship funds worth 200 to 600 million won for the purpose of recommending five local council candidates in the Gangnam-gu Gap district, which was his constituency during the 2022 local election.
The ACIO determined that there was no evidence to suggest that these sponsorships were provided in exchange for candidate nominations.
The five individuals who received sponsorship funds stated during ACIO’s witness interviews that they supported Taeyoungho’s legislative activities out of goodwill, unrelated to candidate nominations. Factors such as the time gap between the sponsorships and the election and the continuation of sponsorships even after the nomination were taken into consideration.
However, the ACIO has requested the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for additional investigation into one of the council candidates, referred to as Mr. A, who allegedly made donations exceeding the legal limit using the names of family members and acquaintances.
Last May, the civic group Citizens United for Legal and Transparent Society reported former Congressman Taeyoungho to the ACIO after suspicions were raised in the media. Following the report, the ACIO conducted search and seizure operations and interviewed council candidates as witnesses.
On the 3rd of this month, former Congressman Taeyoungho was questioned by the ACIO as a suspect.