Police, 133 government officials from Jeonnam Provincial Office charged with embezzlement and breach of trust

Public officials from Jeonnam Provincial Office who purchased personal items with office management funds were collectively handed over to the prosecution.

 

On the 4th, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit 1 of the Jeonnam Police Agency announced that it has sent 133 public officials affiliated with Jeonnam Province, who were under investigation for charges such as embezzlement and breach of trust in the course of their duties, to the prosecution.

 

They are suspected of using office management funds to purchase appliances, clothing, and household items for personal use. The police secured data from May 2018 to April 2023 and launched an investigation. The total embezzlement amount is approximately 400 million won, with offenders caught embezzling amounts ranging from a few hundred thousand won to over 10 million won.

 

It is understood that most civil servants admitted to the allegations during police investigations but stated, "It was customary. I didn't know it was illegal."

 

In April 2023, the police received a complaint from a civic group and began investigating a tax embezzlement case. In May of the same year, the police conducted a search and seizure of convenience stores within the provincial office, which had been identified as a channel for embezzlement of administrative expenses, and shifted to a forced investigation.

 

When suspicions arose, Jeollanam-do conducted its own audit separate from police investigations and disciplined 10 public officials with severe penalties and 4 with minor penalties in May 2023. About 30 individuals with minor amounts involved were given admonitions. According to the audit data, they purchased luxury ties, robot vacuum cleaners, golf equipment, clothing, smartwatches, and shoes using office management funds.

 

The Jeollanam-do announced the results of the audit, stating, "We identified 50 individuals who misused the budget for personal purposes. Among them, six people who appear to have embezzled over 2 million won have been referred for investigation." Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeollanam-do apologized immediately after the announcement of the audit results, saying, "We will take strict measures to ensure that such incidents do not happen again."

 

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Jeonnam Provincial Office... Why is this happening?

There are probably many other places as well;;;;