Comedian Lee Jin-ho, who was put on trial on charges of habitual gambling and drunk driving, has been sentenced to a prison term with a suspended execution in his first trial.
Judge Ahn Tae-yoon, presiding over Criminal Single Division 1 at the Yeoju Branch of the Suwon District Court, sentenced Lee to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered 120 hours of community service on September 1. The court stated, "All charges are recognized," adding, "The sentence was determined taking into consideration the fact that the defendant is reflecting on his actions." As this is a first-instance ruling, the outcome could change if either the prosecution or Lee's side appeals.
Lee was indicted on charges of habitually gambling by remitting a total of approximately 870 million won across 664 occasions to gambling sites to exchange it for cyber money between May 11, 2023, and October 14, 2024. Separately, he was also charged with driving about 70 kilometers from Incheon to Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on September 24 of last year while his blood alcohol concentration was 0.12 percent, a level subject to license revocation.
Previously, the police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint through the e-People portal asking to investigate Lee on charges of gambling and fraud, and subsequently forwarded the case to the prosecution. During the sentencing hearing on August 14, the prosecution demanded a two-year prison sentence for Lee. At that sentencing hearing, Lee stated, "I have lived every day in regret after committing my wrongdoing," and added, "I will not make such mistakes again."
Meanwhile, Lee collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage in April, received treatment and rehabilitation at a university hospital in Seoul, and was discharged in late May. It is known that some paralysis symptoms remain, causing difficulties in communication and mobility.
Lee, who attended the sentencing hearing on this day walking on crutches and wearing a mask, did not answer questions from reporters and wore a heavy expression. He lowered his mask slightly, sent a signal to reporters indicating that it was difficult to speak, and bowed his head.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Kyung-yoon)
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