Actress Hwang Jung-eum, who debuted as a member of the girl group Sugar, has been accused of embezzling company funds to invest in cryptocurrency.
On the 15th, News1 reported that the first trial for actress Hwang Jung-eum's violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement) was held by Chief Judge Lim Jae-nam of the Jeju District Court's 2nd Criminal Division.
According to reports, Hwang Jung-eum received 700 million won under the pretext of advance payments from the funds borrowed by her agency around early 2022 and invested it in cryptocurrency. She has been indicted without detention for embezzling approximately 4.34 billion won in company funds by December 2022.
The victimized agency is a family corporation in which Hwang Jung-eum holds 100% of the shares. The media reported that Hwang Jung-eum invested about 4.2 billion won of the embezzled amount in cryptocurrency and acknowledged the charges during the trial.
During the trial, Hwang Jung-eum's lawyer explained, “The defendant invested in cryptocurrency with the thought of growing the company, and since the corporation could not hold cryptocurrency, she temporarily invested in her own name, which led to this incident.”
He added, “She has sold some of the cryptocurrency to repay part of the embezzled amount and intends to repay the rest by selling real estate, so please consider the motive behind her actions.”
Her agency, Y1 Entertainment, stated that they are currently verifying the matter.
Hwang Jung-eum debuted in 2001 as a member of the group Sugar. She gained significant popularity after appearing on the MBC variety show 'We Got Married' and has continued to connect with the public through various works such as 'High Kick Through the Roof', 'Giant', and 'Kill Me, Heal Me'.
Hwang Jung-eum married businessman Lee Young-don, a former professional golfer, in 2016 and has two sons. She is currently in the process of divorce with him. Hwang Jung-eum is currently appearing on the variety show 'Solo Because' and sharing her daily life.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
