Two South Korean Nationals Charged with Defrauding U.S. Government in Army Base Construction Contracts
Two employees of SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (SK), a large multinational corporation based in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), were charged today with participating in a scheme to defraud the United States by submitting fraudulent subcontracts to conceal bribes and kickbacks paid to an American public official, in relation to U.S. Army construction contracts in South Korea.
Hyeong-won Lee, 58, and Dong-Guel Lee, 48, both citizens of South Korea and employees of SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (SK), were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice, and one count of major fraud against the United States.
Hyeong-won Lee was also charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy, and Dong-Guel Lee was charged with one count of witness tampering in relation to a wide-ranging bribery and fraud scheme from 2008 to 2017.
“Hyeong-won Lee and Dong-Guel Lee allegedly submitted fraudulent construction subcontracts to disguise millions in kickback payments to a public official and then tried to cover their tracks,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.
According to the indictment, the defendants, acting on behalf of SK, submitted fraudulent subcontracts to the U.S. Army as part of two construction contracts at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Defendant Information: Hyeong-won Lee, Dong-Guel Lee
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice, and one count of major fraud against the United States, Two counts of wire fraud, One count of money laundering conspiracy, One count of witness tampering
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Date: 5/25/2023
Outcome: Currently charged, awaiting trial
Amount: Hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks and bribes
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News