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Unification Church

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Chanel, Diamonds and a Courtroom: Korea's Ex-First Lady Sentenced
world1 month ago

Chanel, Diamonds and a Courtroom: Korea's Ex-First Lady Sentenced

Kim Keon Hee, South Korea’s former first lady and wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison for bribery tied to gifts from the Unification Church, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace. The court found she misused her status to obtain money and luxury items but cleared her of stock manipulation and conspiring with her husband over polls (and also cleared her for receiving a second Chanel bag); the bribes were valued at about 1.15 billion won (~$813,000). Prosecutors and Kim can appeal. This case adds to a broader web of scandals surrounding the couple, who are both facing multiple trials, and marks the first time a former South Korean president and his wife have been jailed at the same time.

via CNN|
#bribery#chanel-bag#kim-keon-hee
Ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee Faces Multicase Trial in Korea Scandal
world1 month ago

Ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee Faces Multicase Trial in Korea Scandal

Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea’s jailed former president Yoon Suk Yeol, goes on trial on bribery, stock manipulation tied to Deutsch Motors, and alleged political interference connected to the Unification Church; prosecutors say she earned about 800 million won and accepted luxury gifts, while she denies the charges. The live verdict is notable as the first time a presidential spouse has been indicted while detained, and comes as Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for abusing power in a failed martial-law bid; the case follows years of controversy over Kim, including plagiarism accusations, alleged fake credentials, tax-evasion claims, and a high-profile handbag incident.

via BBC|
#bribery#deutsch-motors#kim-keon-hee
Japan hands down life sentence to Abe's 2022 assassin
world1 month ago

Japan hands down life sentence to Abe's 2022 assassin

A Japanese court sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami, who killed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 with a homemade gun, to life in prison. The judge called the crime premeditated and extremely dangerous, noting the devastating impact on Abe’s family and the nation. The case also spotlighted the Unification Church and questions about its influence on the ruling party and donors.

via CNN|
#japan#life-sentence#shinzo-abe
Abe assassination killer handed life term in Japan
world1 month ago

Abe assassination killer handed life term in Japan

A Nara court sentenced 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami to life in prison for fatally shooting former prime minister Shinzo Abe during a 2022 campaign event; prosecutors urged a life term, while the defense argued he acted under religious coercion by the Unification Church, a ruling that has spotlighted the church's ties to politics and prompted investigations into its practices and donations.

via BBC|
#japan-politics#life-imprisonment#shinzo-abe
South Korean Authorities Arrest Unification Church Leader in Bribery Probe
world5 months ago

South Korean Authorities Arrest Unification Church Leader in Bribery Probe

The leader of South Korea's Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, was arrested over allegations of bribing the ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee with gifts worth nearly $58,000, in connection with political favors and election-related bribes involving a former lawmaker and the ousted president's wife. The church denies the allegations, which are part of broader investigations into political and financial misconduct linked to the church and prominent political figures.

via BBC|
#bribery#kim-keon-hee#political-scandal
"NYC Man's 5-Year Rent-Free Hotel Stay Ends in Criminal Charges"
legalcrime2 years ago

"NYC Man's 5-Year Rent-Free Hotel Stay Ends in Criminal Charges"

A New York City man lived rent-free in a landmark hotel for five years by exploiting a housing law loophole, but was arrested after filing false property records claiming ownership of the entire building and attempting to charge rent to another tenant. Mickey Barreto, 48, insists it should be a civil case, not a criminal one, and claims his legal wrangling is activism aimed at denying profits to the Unification Church, which owns the property.

via NBC News|
#fraud-charges#housing-law-loophole#landmark-hotel
Manhattan Hotel Squatter Faces Charges for False Ownership Claim
crime2 years ago

Manhattan Hotel Squatter Faces Charges for False Ownership Claim

Mickey Barreto, a 48-year-old man, lived rent-free in a Manhattan hotel for 5 years by exploiting a housing law, but was arrested and charged with filing false property records after claiming ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building and attempting to charge rent to another tenant. Barreto's legal saga began when he and his boyfriend paid $200 to rent a room in the hotel, and he claimed possession through a legal loophole. He then uploaded a fake deed to transfer ownership of the building to himself and made various fraudulent claims as the owner. The Unification Church, which bought the property in 1976, sued Barreto over the deed claim, and the case is ongoing. Barreto argues that his actions were aimed at denying profits to the Unification Church and claims to have never made any money from the situation.

via Fortune|
#crime#fraud#manhattan
"Manhattan Man's 5-Year Rent-Free Stay in New Yorker Hotel Ends in Fraud Indictment"
crime2 years ago

"Manhattan Man's 5-Year Rent-Free Stay in New Yorker Hotel Ends in Fraud Indictment"

Mickey Barreto exploited an obscure New York City housing law to live rent-free in the New Yorker Hotel for five years, claiming ownership of the entire building and attempting to charge rent to another tenant. He was arrested and charged with filing false property records, but maintains that it should be a civil case. Barreto's legal saga began when he and his boyfriend paid $200 to rent a room in the hotel, and he claims he never intended to commit fraud or profit from the situation. The Unification Church, which owns the property, has sued Barreto over his claims of ownership, and the case is ongoing.

via CBS News|
#crime#fraud#manhattan
"Manhattan Man's Five-Year Rent-Free Hotel Stay Ends in Fraud Indictment"
legalcrime2 years ago

"Manhattan Man's Five-Year Rent-Free Hotel Stay Ends in Fraud Indictment"

Mickey Barreto exploited a housing law loophole to live rent-free in a New York City hotel for five years, claiming ownership of the entire building and attempting to charge rent to another tenant. He was arrested and charged with filing false property records, but maintains it should be a civil case. Barreto's legal saga began when he and his boyfriend paid $200 to rent a room in the New Yorker Hotel, and he later claimed possession of the room and then the entire building. The Unification Church, which owns the property, sued Barreto over the deed claim, and the case is ongoing. Barreto argues that his actions are aimed at denying profits to the church and has always represented himself in civil cases.

via The Associated Press|
#fraud#hotel#legalcrime
"Unification Church in Japan offers $67 million compensation fund as court considers closure"
world2 years ago

"Unification Church in Japan offers $67 million compensation fund as court considers closure"

The Unification Church in Japan, also known as the "Moonies," has offered up to $67 million in compensation to victims of the group's alleged high-pressure and fraudulent donation tactics. The church is facing the potential revocation of its tax-exempt status and liquidation of its assets. The compensation funds would be disbursed by the government, although the exact details remain unclear. The church has already paid out $29 million in compensation to 664 claims. The proposal falls short of the estimated $700 million in damages sought by victims, according to a group of lawyers representing them. The Unification Church has 600,000 members in Japan, but only 100,000 remain active.

via CBS News|
#compensation#court#japan
Unification Church in Japan pledges ¥10 billion compensation fund for victims
religion2 years ago

Unification Church in Japan pledges ¥10 billion compensation fund for victims

The Unification Church is prepared to allocate up to ¥10 billion in funds for potential future damages claims from former followers and their families if its religious corporation status is revoked by the court. Concerns have arisen that the church may transfer its assets to South Korea or another group before the court order is issued, which could result in the liquidation and confiscation of those assets.

via The Japan Times|
#assets#court-order#damages-claims
Kishida Cabinet's Support Plummets to Record Low 32%
politics2 years ago

Kishida Cabinet's Support Plummets to Record Low 32%

The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet has dropped to a record low of 32.3%, while the disapproval rating has reached a record high of 52.5%. A majority of respondents (58.6%) believe that the upcoming economic package aimed at mitigating rising prices will be ineffective. Additionally, 61.1% of respondents believe that Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party still has ties to the controversial Unification Church. However, the government's decision to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea was considered "appropriate" by 74.6% of respondents.

via The Japan Times|
#cabinet-support-rate#economic-package#fukushima-nuclear-plant