Chinese Firm 'issued Fake Receipts To Hide Bribes'


Chinese firm 'issued fake receipts to hide bribes'

Tokyo prosecutors investigating bribery allegations involving casino resorts say a Chinese firm issued fake receipts to a Japanese lawmaker to cover up its bribes.

The prosecutors on Tuesday served a fresh arrest warrant to Tsukasa Akimoto on suspicion of receiving bribes worth about 32,000 dollars.

The amount includes the cost of his trip to Macao on a private jet in 2017 at the invitation of the company, 500.com.

Akimoto was first arrested last month for allegedly receiving cash from the firm. Three other people are also under arrest.

A political funds report by Akimoto's support organization says it paid roughly 23,000 dollars for the trip.

But sources say 500.com gave two fake receipts to the organization.

Akimoto's former secretary told investigators that the lawmaker's side did not pay any travel expenses.

The secretary is suspected of withdrawing 11,500 dollars from the organization's bank account. Prosecutors believe he tried to pretend the money was used to pay for the Macao trip.

At that time, Akimoto was a Cabinet Office state minister in charge of integrated resorts that include casinos. The Chinese firm was eying to launch an IR business in Japan.

Akimoto's lawyer says the lawmaker categorically denies the allegations.