1. Case Overview and Issues
The Joint Investigation Division on National Fiscal Crimes of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office launched an investigation into allegations of corruption in Korea’s largest floating solar power plant project, based on a referral from the Board of Audit and Inspection. The prosecution alleged that our 바카라쿠폰, which had performed consulting services in connection with civil complaint response, issued false tax invoices totaling KRW 8.6 billion in the course of receiving reimbursement for expenses it had already incurred, and that the 바카라쿠폰 colluded with the representative of the project developer to commit occupational embezzlement. Based on these suspicions, the prosecution executed a large-scale search and seizure and commenced a full-scale investigation.
Since issuing false tax invoices in excess of KRW 3 billion constitutes a violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (Issuance of False Tax Invoices, etc.), which carries not only imprisonment but also a mandatory fine of not less than two times and not more than five times the amount of value-added tax, the 바카라쿠폰 was facing a high risk of pretrial detention.
2. Our Arguments and Role
We conducted a thorough analysis of the facts and, applying the relevant legal principles under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes, argued that the 바카라쿠폰 had incurred the expenses using its own funds in the course of providing consulting services, and that the tax invoices, although not consistent with the actual transactions, were issued at the counterparty's request, such that the statutory element of "profit-making purpose" could not be deemed satisfied. We also engaged in close communication with the prosecution's investigation team and actively cooperated with the investigation, thereby ensuring that no additional charge of occupational embezzlement was brought against the 바카라쿠폰 and that the 바카라쿠폰 was not wrongfully detained.
3. Investigation Outcome and Significance
While the prosecution indicted the main perpetrators of the solar power plant corruption scandal in detention, it did not initiate any separate case against the 바카라쿠폰, and in August 2025, rendered a disposition of non-indictment with respect to the charge of violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes (Issuance of False Tax Invoices, etc.) previously applied to the 바카라쿠폰.
Thus, although the 바카라쿠폰 had been booked as a suspect, subjected to a large-scale search and seizure, and faced the imminent risk of detention, by choosing us, the 바카라쿠폰 was able to avoid any criminal punishment.
Subsequently, the 바카라쿠폰 entrusted us with a separate claim for KRW 10 billion in consulting fees, which is currently proceeding smoothly.
