Im Chang-yong (48), a former professional baseball player, who was indicted on fraud charges, was sought by prosecutors for a prison term of 1 year and 6 months.
Kim Seong-jun, Director General of the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court, held a sentencing hearing for former professional baseball player Im Chang-yong on the 21st and concluded the proceedings.
Previously, Im was charged with borrowing goods worth 150 million won from A while at a hotel in the Philippines in 2019 and failing to repay 80 million won. A alleged that Im borrowed 150 million won in cash for casino gambling and only repaid 70 million won.
On the other hand, Im's side admitted to borrowing money for gambling but claimed that it was gambling chips, not cash, and that the amount was only worth 70 million won, insisting that it had been fully repaid.
The prosecution noted, "Please consider that the defendant has been changing his statements and is not reflecting on his crime," and sought a prison term of 1 year and 6 months for Im.
Im's lawyer argued, "The victim was not in a position to lend 150 million won. The victim's statement that money was lent is not credible at all. Repayment has already been completed, so fraud charges cannot be recognized," asserting Im's innocence. Im stated, "I agree with the lawyer's opinion" in his final remarks.
The court will hold a sentencing hearing for Im on March 27 at 2 p.m. at the Gwangju District Court.