[MHN Roh Pooleun] Seoul's Central District Court announced the criminal sentencing of Ahn Joon Young PD, Kim Yong Bum CP(chief producer), as well as several other broadcasting station staff members and entertainment company representatives for involvement in manipulation of rankings during Mnet's 'Produce' series(1~4) and accepting briberies.
The series' overall head producer Ahn PD was sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment, plus a fine of 37,000,000 KRW (~30,000 USD) and the series' department head Kim CP was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months of imprisonment in charge of manipulating the rankings of specific trainees during 'Produce' idol survival series. Ahn PD has also been charged with accepting monetary and sexual bribery from certain entertainment company representatives.
Several entertainment company representatives involved in offering bribery to Ahn PD and Kim CP have been sentenced to fines.
The court stressed the significant violation of responsibility Ahn PD and Kim CP committed for personal gain. The court stated "Ahn PD has accepted briberies from entertainment representatives before and during broadcasting of series. Ahn PD and Kim CP committed serious crimes in polluting the original purpose of series and mocking viewers for paid voting".
Back in December of 2019, the prosecution demanded a sentence of 3 years in prison each for Ahn PD and Kim CP, as well as fines.
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Ahn PD and Kim CP sentenced in prison for manipulation of 'Produce' series
