A prosecutor-turned-lawyer suspected of peddling influence for his client and evading taxes was indicted Monday as part of a probe into a snowballing corruption scandal that is rocking the country's legal sector.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Hong Man-pyo over allegations he received some 300 million won($251,000) from the chief of local cosmetics brand Nature Republic, Jung Woon-ho, to cover up his overseas gambling charges in August 2015.

Before the businessman was indicted in October, two separate investigations were launched into his gambling charges, but both ended without an indictment.

In April, the Seoul High Court commuted Jung's original one-year prison term that he received from a lower court to eight months.

Hong is also accused of evading some 1.5 billion won in taxes between 2011 and 2015 by working without filing reports.

The 56-year-old has been denying allegations he unlawfully contacted his former colleagues to advocate for his client, while partially admitting to the tax evasion charges.

Hong was a prominent prosecutor who investigated major corruption cases that involved the country's former presidents. He stepped down from office in 2011, and has since worked as a lawyer. (Yonhap)