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Japanese tycoon guilty of fraud Japanese tycoon guilty of fraud
(about 1 hour later)
Controversial tycoon Takafumi Horie has been found guilty of fraud, following a six-month trial which has gripped corporate Japan.Controversial tycoon Takafumi Horie has been found guilty of fraud, following a six-month trial which has gripped corporate Japan.
The former boss of the once high-flying internet firm, Livedoor, was found guilty of falsifying the company's accounts and misleading investors.The former boss of the once high-flying internet firm, Livedoor, was found guilty of falsifying the company's accounts and misleading investors.
Horie, 34, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. His lawyers say he will appeal.Horie, 34, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. His lawyers say he will appeal.
The disgraced entrepreneur had pleaded not guilty, saying he was framed.The disgraced entrepreneur had pleaded not guilty, saying he was framed.
Unlike many previous corporate scandals where businessmen have confessed their guilt in return for more lenient sentences, Mr Horie maintained he was innocent.Unlike many previous corporate scandals where businessmen have confessed their guilt in return for more lenient sentences, Mr Horie maintained he was innocent.
I cannot understand why there is a prison sentence - my disillusionment with the Japanese criminal justice system has only gotten worse Yasuyuki TakaiTakafumi Horie's chief lawyer I cannot understand why there is a prison sentence - my disillusionment with the Japanese criminal justice system has only gotten worse Yasuyuki TakaiTakafumi Horie's chief lawyer class="" href="/1/hi/business/6445291.stm">Takafumi Horie profile
The tycoon accused the prosecution of targeting him for standing out too much with his brash, unconventional entrepreneurship.The tycoon accused the prosecution of targeting him for standing out too much with his brash, unconventional entrepreneurship.
Prosecutors had demanded a four-year prison term.Prosecutors had demanded a four-year prison term.
Speaking at a news conference following the ruling, Horie's chief lawyer, Yasuyuki Takai, said his client would make an appeal by the end of the day.Speaking at a news conference following the ruling, Horie's chief lawyer, Yasuyuki Takai, said his client would make an appeal by the end of the day.
"I cannot understand why there is a prison sentence. Regrettably, my disillusionment with the Japanese criminal justice system has only gotten worse," he said."I cannot understand why there is a prison sentence. Regrettably, my disillusionment with the Japanese criminal justice system has only gotten worse," he said.
He said the case was based on ambiguous evidence and the testimony of two former Livedoor executives who have already pleaded guilty to similar charges.He said the case was based on ambiguous evidence and the testimony of two former Livedoor executives who have already pleaded guilty to similar charges.
Culture clashCulture clash
Horie was extremely popular with a new breed of investors for his informality of style and business ambition, which saw Livedoor expand rapidly in a short space of time through a series of daring takeovers.Horie was extremely popular with a new breed of investors for his informality of style and business ambition, which saw Livedoor expand rapidly in a short space of time through a series of daring takeovers.
TV stations in Japan broadcast live coverage of the verdictBut Horie's high public profile, which saw him stand for parliament and date a number of leading actresses, put him at odds with Japan's conservative business establishment.TV stations in Japan broadcast live coverage of the verdictBut Horie's high public profile, which saw him stand for parliament and date a number of leading actresses, put him at odds with Japan's conservative business establishment.
Livedoor was raided by prosecutors at the start of 2006 after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced and Mr Horie was subsequently arrested.Livedoor was raided by prosecutors at the start of 2006 after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced and Mr Horie was subsequently arrested.
He was accused of falsely reporting a pre-tax profit of some 5bn yen ($43m) for the year to September 2004 to hide actual losses of 310m yen.He was accused of falsely reporting a pre-tax profit of some 5bn yen ($43m) for the year to September 2004 to hide actual losses of 310m yen.
The Tokyo stock market was forced to close briefly when news of the investigation triggered a massive share sell-off.The Tokyo stock market was forced to close briefly when news of the investigation triggered a massive share sell-off.
Four senior Livedoor executives admitted their guilt, with former chief financial officer Ryoji Miyauchi acting as a leading prosecution witness.Four senior Livedoor executives admitted their guilt, with former chief financial officer Ryoji Miyauchi acting as a leading prosecution witness.
The case centred around how much Mr Horie knew about the state of Livedoor's finances and whether he conspired with other executives to inflate profits.The case centred around how much Mr Horie knew about the state of Livedoor's finances and whether he conspired with other executives to inflate profits.
Critics of Horie's actions have described Livedoor's fall from grace as a "Japanese version of Enron".Critics of Horie's actions have described Livedoor's fall from grace as a "Japanese version of Enron".