롯데홈쇼핑 납품 비리 의혹을 받고 있는 신헌(60) 롯데백화점 사장이 14일 오전 피의자 신분으로 검찰에 소환됐다.
서울중앙지검 첨단수사1부(부장 서영민)는 신 사장이 2008년에서 2012년 사이 롯데홈쇼핑 대표로 재직시 납품 업체들로부터 금품을 수수한 정황을 포착하고 지난 주말 신 사장에게 소환을 통보했다고 밝혔다.
신 사장은 TV홈쇼핑 방송 편의 제공 등을 댓가로 회사 간부들이 납품업체들로부터 받은 뒷돈과 회삿돈 가운데 매달 수백만원씩을 상납 받은 혐의(횡령 및 배임수재)를 받고 있다.
검찰은 신 사장을 상대로 정확한 상납 경위와 규모 등을 조사할 예정이다. 검찰은 조사가 끝나는 대로 신 사장에 대해 구속영장을 청구할 방침이다.
검찰은 이달 초 신 사장에 대해 출국금지 조치했으며 앞서 롯데홈쇼핑 전ㆍ현직 회사 관계자 5명을 구속했다.
(코리아헤럴드 석지현 기자)
<관련 영문 기사>
Ex-Lotte Homeshopping head summoned over bribery scandal
The former head of Lotte Homeshopping was questioned on Monday for allegedly receiving billions of won in cash kickbacks from local subcontractors.
Shin Heon, 60, who led the retail arm of the country’s fifth-largest conglomerate Lotte Group between 2008 and 2012, was summoned by prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office as a suspect in the large-scale corruption case.
Shin reportedly claimed his innocence, saying he has never demanded black money. He currently serves as CEO of Lotte Shopping, another retail subsidiary of the group.
Allegations against Shin came under the spotlight earlier this year when prosecutors launched a probe into the firm’s alleged kickback scheme involving former and incumbent Lotte Homeshopping executives.
Sources have also raised the possibility of the prosecution linking his suspected crimes with attempts to create slush funds.
The prosecution has already arrested five officials on charges of receiving hundreds of millions of won from suppliers that sold products on the retailer’s TV network.
Prosecutors said they would request a preliminary arrest warrant based on Monday’s investigation with Shin.
The practice of receiving bribes from vendors is common in the local industry, according to officials working in the retail sector. They claim that it helps secure sales and distribution channels, which are prime factors in increasing sales.
By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)
