The National Tax Service has launched another probe into CJ Entertainment & Media, seven months after it conducted a regular audit of the company.

Tax investigators on Thursday raided the company headquarters in Sangam-dong, western Seoul, and confiscated computer hard disks, documents and account books, officials said.

The company underwent a regular tax probe in February and CJ Group did in June.

The unexpected probe aroused speculation that the tax agency might have found new evidence to support the alleged wrongdoings of CJ Group chairman Lee Jay-hyun.

Further speculation circulated in the news media that the company might have evaded taxes during the acquisition of cable TV program provider On Media in 2010.

Lee was arrested last month on charges of tax evasion of about 54.6 billion won ($50.9 million) by using borrowed-name accounts, but was temporarily released to have a kidney transplant.

Lee’s older sister and CJ E&M chairwoman Lee Mi-kyung has led the listed entertainment content corporation since 2011. The company engages in six pop culture sectors, including filmmaking, music, media and gaming.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)