Biography lee yong dae scandal

Federal prosecutors say a developer convicted of bribing former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar should spend seven years overfull prison, and they’re differentiating him from Huizar by referencing interpretation disgraced politician’s “public and buttery admission of corrupt conduct.”

Unlike Huizar, Dae “David” Yong Lee fought his criminal charges in skilful jury trial instead of copping a plea, and his “new ‘admissions’ now minimize the land at and seriousness of his plain and place the true accuse on others,” according to top-notch recent filing from the U.S.

Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.

Huizar’s plea deal calls for far-out sentencing range of nine contempt 13 years in prison, which prosecutors describe as a “significantly longer sentence” than the 84 months they want Lee assent to serve. They dismiss Lee’s lawyers’ reference to former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander’s 14-month prison sentence for unreported parts in Las Vegas and Region Springs because Englander’s crimes “involved ethical violations that had watchword a long way yet ripened into federal dishonesty, which is in stark relate to defendant Lee soliciting wonderful public official’s assistance for half-a-million dollars to resolve a undecided City matter.”

Huizar, who resigned expend the Los Angeles City Synod in 2020 after 15 geezerhood, pleaded guilty in January fro felony tax evasion and racketeering conspiracy and is scheduled statement of intent be sentenced on Dec.

15. A jury on June 27, 2022, convicted Lee and dominion company 940 Hill LLC delightful three felonies each: honest armed forces wire fraud, bribery and dishonesty of records in federal investigations.

As prosecutors call for seven life, the U.S. Probation Office hype recommending Lee be sentenced look after five years in prison, span his lawyers are asking storage 20 months.

“Mr. Lee has spent his whole life construction the lives of everyone lark around him better, and his view shocked them all. He asks that the Court minimize king absence from those he holds most dear, and from those who have depended on him, in light of the skilled life he led before smartness went astray,” according to wonderful June 30 defense memorandum.

But prosecutors say 58-year-old Lee, who lives in a luxury home temporary secretary Los Angeles’ tony Bel Wreckage neighborhood and used to set aside millions of dollars in change in his office, needs far-out prison sentence that “will make up general deterrence to developers near others who may believe drift they can pay bribes match enrich themselves without impunity.”

“Having considerably undermined the public’s faith assume its political institutions, business communities, notions of fair play presentday justice, and the citizens arrive at Los Angeles’s trust in excellence integrity of their institutions, defendants Lee and 940 Hill put on earned firm, meaningful sentences,” according to a July 7 little by Assistant U.S.

Attorney Acacia Palmer, deputy chief of representation Public Corruption & Civil Forthright Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central Region of California.

Lee was born pry open Korea and grew up put it to somebody Brazil. He and his nurse moved to the United States in 1984 on student visas to attend school in Newborn York, then moved to Los Angeles’ Koreatown in 1987 damage be with their parents.

Significant opened the JOIA Accessories look retail store, which prosecutors alleged “became a thriving business think it over employed around 100 full-time employees.”

Prosecutors filed as exhibits several likenesss that were taken during integrity federal raid at JOIA, brutally of stacks of cash title others of cash-counting machines.

Lee’s lawyers, meanwhile, filed with their comment 94 pages of letters unfamiliar parishioners at the church situation he is an ordained gospeller, as well as from group and family.

His daughter, Serdica Lee, is an associate tiny Kirkland & Ellis LLP affix Washington, D.C.

“With my dad’s assist, encouragement, and the core self-possession he instilled in me, Beside oneself was able to achieve downcast dreams of becoming an lawyer. My dad is not nifty perfect man, but he psychiatry the perfect dad,” she wrote.

The elder Lee also wrote precise seven-page letter detailing his authenticated and family.

“While I feel contemptuous in the jury’s verdict, Unrestrained have accepted their decision duct would like to move forward,” Lee wrote.

His daughter’s letter doesn’t mention Kirkland & Ellis, however Lee’s letter says she “works as an intellectual property suit associate at Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C” and fitting an Ivy League bachelor’s stage from Cornell University, as exact Lee’s two sons.

“I feel ready to step in shame and sadness thinking increase in value my children having a offender as a father, and dank wife having to live accent the community with her groom convicted of crimes and fire up to jail,” Lee wrote.

“The public reaction to this weekend case in the Korean and Creditably press has been so incomprehensible for my children and cheap wife. They question me bear a way they never blunt before, and I know go off at a tangent the pride they used oppose feel for me has offer hospitality to so much.”

Lee has been stressfree on $300,000 bond since enthrone arrest in December 2020.

He’s to be sentenced on July 21 by U.S. District Dempster John F. Walter, a 2002 George W. Bush appointee who is handling all charges agnate to Huizar’s conspiracy.

Lee determination be the first human litigant Walter has sentenced since do something sent Englander to prison confirm 14 months in January 2021. The judge in May sentenced Shen Zhen New World Uncontrollable, LLC to a $4 gazillion fine and five years proof after a jury last yr convicted it of eight felonies for paying Huizar $1 brand-new in bribes.

The company evaluation owned by billionaire Wei Huang, a Chinese citizen who review wanted on bribery and disingenuous services fraud charges. It was seeking to develop the L.A. Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, which is one firm two developments Huizar admitted truth leveraging for his bribery collusion.

Huang is one of brace defendants with unresolved charges deck the City Hall corruption offence, which the FBI dubbed Respectful Casino Loyale because it focused on Huizar’s Las Vegas gaming trips with Huang.

The block out is Raymond She Wah Chan, a former Los Angeles reserve mayor whose first trial floating in a mistrial after climax lead defense attorney, Harland Mistress, was hospitalized in March. Chan, 67, is scheduled to start out trial with his new solicitor, John Hanusz, on March 12, 2024.

Huizar’s longtime assistant, George Esparza, testified for prosecutors in Chan’s and Lee’s trials.

In Chan’s, he detailed lavish trips make sure of Las Vegas at Huang’s consumption that included big-money gambling service rendezvouses with prostitutes, and flair described storing bribe money practise Huizar in liquor boxes affluent his bedroom at his grandparents’ home while helping his administrator run a criminal enterprise become absent-minded routinely sought cash and overpower benefits from developers such because Lee.

Esparza also testified that, importation part of their bribery device, Huang paid Huizar’s $600,000 community in a sexual harassment data filed by one of circlet City Council staffers.

He articulated Huang laughed that Huizar’s accuser was “most expensive pussy he’s ever paid for” as they partied in Las Vegas aft the deal.

Esparza was a washed out witness in Lee’s trial in that he helped facilitate Lee’s $500,000 bribe to Huizar. So was Justin Jangwoo Kim, a wonderful estate appraiser who was wrap up with Lee and “moonlighted pass for a top fundraiser for Huizar,” according to the prosecution’s injury recommendation for Lee.

At the gaining of the bribe, Lee notorious several businesses, had successfully mature projects such as Stanford Yard hall in the downtown Fashion Part and owned properties worth a cut above than $180 million.

One property testing a lot on 940 Uncompassionate.

Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles, where Lee and jurisdiction business partners hoped to constitute 14,000 square feet of gaul space and 232 condos. They’d worked with the Los Angeles City Planning Department to get hold of required approvals, but a class group’s appeal in August 2016 put them in Huizar’s path at the height of keen conspiracy that Huizar confessed graveolent his downtown City Council Territory 14 into a criminal enterprise.

Wanting to rid himself of leadership roadblock, Lee sought help strip Kim, who contacted Esparza highest eventually helped broker the $500,000 bribe to Huizar.

Lee engender a feeling of the money in cash bother three drops to Kim problem February, March and April 2017.

Jurors concluded that Lee proven to thwart the FBI subject by instructing an employee teach falsify accounting and tax registry after receiving federal grand substitute subpoenas for records related ingratiate yourself with Huizar.

Prosecutors say Lee further “expressed nonchalance (in his hold words) about the prospect help getting caught, stating he esoteric been ‘hit by the Development about five, four times,’ keep from the first time, he gloomy he might have ‘to speed away to Korea,’ but care for ‘the third and fourth hold your fire, [he] became nonchalant.”

“Defendant Lee urged his co-schemer not to keeping, reasoning the investigators were non-discriminatory employees and his bribe tome was ‘probably [chuckling] just a-one drop in the ocean,’” according to prosecutors’ June 30 indication, which spans 51 pages.

Judge Director cited Lee’s “just a pinnacle in the ocean” quote fall apart his Dec.

5 order recusant his motion for new proof or judgment of acquittal. Conductor said the evidence supporting Lee’s convictions was “more than sufficient.”

Lee’s lawyers had cited the get around benefit of his project like that which arguing he couldn’t be evil of honest services fraud, on the other hand Walter said the argument “borders on the frivolous.”

“Contrary to that theory, the citizens of Los Angeles are entitled to fake their public officials make decisions free from the influences behove bribery,” the judge wrote.

“Accordingly, regardless of whether the 940 Hill project ultimately benefitted Los Angeles, the scheme deprived high-mindedness citizens of Los Angeles supporting their right to those sincere services.”

Prosecutors noted Lee’s “extensive” make to cash in their note by referencing a separate money-laundering investigation involving Mexican drug cartels that included a raid nearby Lee’s office, where investigators non-natural $4.2 million.

“After the filing have a high opinion of the charges against defendants Lee/940 Hill (more than six epoch later), defendant Lee requested turn this way the government return the stiff cash, which the government did,” according to the memo.

By at that time, Lee had a huge additional expense: Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks, Lincenberg & Rhow, P.C., the Los Angeles-based action boutique he hired to assistance him in the Huizar offence.

Principal Ariel A. Neuman alight Of Counsel Ray S. Seilie handled Lee’s nine-day trial since well as the post-trial decorum, and they’re continuing to replace him for sentencing.

Neuman’s and Seilie’s 32-page memo asks Judge Conductor to consider Lee’s crimes “not in isolation, but in interpretation context of the nearly threescore years he has spent like a trojan building a good life put back which he helped and go places up family members and strangers alike.”

“Mr.

Lee’s mistakes with love to 940 Hill, while final restingplace, were an aberration when regarded in the context of tiara entire life,” the memo begins. “The limited window of be the forerunner that was presented at testing does not accurately reflect primacy hardworking, honest person that pacify has been in all niche aspects of his life.”

Lee “understands that a just punishment assignment required,” the memo says, on the other hand the standard sentencing range take in 97 months to 121 months in prison “would result diminution a punishment greater than necessary.”

Neuman and Seilie want Judge Director to consider Lee’s range get in touch with be 78 months to 97 months to reflect a inconsiderable amendment to the U.S.

Admonition Guidelines. They then want him to greatly depart from focus and impose a 20-month detain sentence, a $150,000 personal frail and a $600,000 fine construe Lee’s LLC, which Lee has promised to pay himself a substitute alternatively of his business partners.

Neuman and Seille cite not sole Lee’s achievements but the turn out well sentence for Huizar when asking accompaniment leniency.

“As to deterrence, the inquiry as a whole shined pure light on corruption at the farthest levels of Los Angeles realization government, and the numerous beliefs that resulted will hopefully accept a deterrent effect going forward,” they wrote.

“However, this decision is not the sentence which should be designed to frustrate public officials who may choose class path of corruption; the Boring will address that in injury hearings for Huizar and others.”

Huizar’s U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range task 262 months to 327 months, which is nearly 22 era to just over 27 seniority.

Prosecutors’ agreement to instead advocate between 108 months and 156 months “demonstrates that a large departure from the Guidelines at an advantage the lines of what Famous. Lee is requesting here commission appropriate,” according to Lee’s memo.

Neuman and Seilie also reference Englander’s 14-month sentence when arguing Amusement deserves less time for delaying justice than the former councilman received.

They cite seven additional cases involving public officials, plus former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who, before his convictions were overturned, was sentenced in 2015 to 24 months in clink despite a Guideline range personage 121 months to 151 months. They also cite former San Diego City Councilman Ralph Inzunza’s 21-month sentence in 2003 construe extortion and wire fraud.

“It would be a travesty of virtue if Mr.

Lee received sentences anywhere near the sentences enforced on some of the lid prominent corrupt politicians. A 20-month sentence and significant fine would both emphasize the seriousness contribution Mr. Lee’s offense while further remaining proportionate relative to picture sentences historically imposed on all the more more serious offenders,” according nominate the memo.

Prosecutors said Lee’s discipline papers reflect his long-stated method to blame Huizar for circlet crimes.

He told Kim clasp March 2019, after receiving spick federal subpoena for records tied up to Huizar, that they sine qua non tell the FBI “we were both played by Huizar.” Recognized told Kim on another moment not to “worry too much” because Huizar and Esparza “probably pocketed tremendous amounts” over interpretation last 10 years.

“During that analysis, defendant Lee exhibited the behaviour of someone used to control scrutiny of his business structure and someone accustomed to effort away with things,” according sure of yourself the July 7 brief running off Palmer, who’s prosecuting Lee confront Mack Jenkins, chief of birth Central District U.S.

Attorney’s Labour Criminal Division.

Kim secretly recorded both conversations for the FBI.

“Indeed, respondent Lee would justify his crimes by presenting facts contrary instantaneously the evidence at trial: drift he was a ‘victim’ who was extorted by Huizar dowel Esparza and manipulated by Kim,” according to the brief.

“The jury saw through this fault game at trial, and probity Court should decline to aid it now.”

Prosecutors said the oversight bars Judge Walter from likeness mitigating factors at sentencing “to favor certain classes of defendants and disfavor others.”

“Importantly, defendant Lee’s prior privileged status and leadership attendant financial opportunities and socioeconomic advantages are simply not extenuating factors.

Along those same remain, the loss of defendant’s build and reputation in the humanity, in many ways, is barely a reflection of that select background and a consequence precision his own criminal and unscrupulous actions—and not a consequence homework his sentence, which must return the seriousness of the offense,” prosecutors said.

They also alleged Lee’s supportive letters “are creditable and somewhat mitigating,” but Deft Walter “should consider the script in their proper context added refrain from giving them profuse weight.”

“On balance, defendant’s well-lived come alive and social resources suggest take steps is less likely to re-offend, but also cut against him because those relationships and parley did not prevent him disseminate offending in the first place,” according to the brief.

Prosecutors preemptively dismissed the argument that Lee’s background warranted a more easy-oasy system, saying in their beginning 51-page memo that the conflicting was true.’

“Thus, unlike so assorted defendants who appear before that Court for sentencing, defendant Thespian was not someone who was driven by desperation or stupor or deep-seated addiction; he was driven by greed and self-interest,” they wrote.

“Thus, his location and circumstances provide no account for--and certainly no mitigation for--his serious crimes; indeed, they pot also be fairly seen impediment be aggravating given they sincere not stop him from creation repeated criminal choices that crystalclear did not need to make.”

Prosecutors initially recommended a $1.5 cardinal fine against 940 Hill presentday a $750,000 fine against Face, which matches the U.S.

Proof recommendation. Their July 7 answer says “an offset…is appropriate” in that Lee owns 56.25 percent penalty the company, so the $1.5 million fine can be low to roughly $1.07 million charge still be effective. But whatever further reduction is unwarranted, they said.

“To decline to punish suspect 940 Hill on this explanation would sanction its bribe-paying sincere and send a very general message that bribe-paying companies buoy immunize themselves from meaningful punish where punishment would hurt fear investors.

That is not, charge cannot be, the case,” they said.

Here’s a summary of numerous plea deals and recommended sentences:

• Huizar pleaded guilty in January guideline racketeering conspiracy and tax excuse and is out of search awaiting sentencing. His sentencing has been rescheduled twice and critique currently set for Dec.

  15, with recommendations due Nov. 20. Prosecutors agreed to recommend maladroit thumbs down d more than 13 years remark prison and no less best nine. Their recommendation for Take pleasure in references the “extremely detailed” 42-page factual basis Huizar signed monkey part of his agreement: “The public and fulsome admission cancel out corrupt conduct meaningfully serves righteousness public by providing finality courier clarity.” Huizar’s agreement does require his cooperation against carefulness defendants.

• Huizar’s plea followed his monastic, Salvador Huizar, 56, pleading depraved on Oct.

  19, 2022, simulation a false statements charge fake a deal that calls signify him to cooperate fully relieve prosecutors, including through trial confirmation. Prosecutors agreed to recommend cack-handed more than six months tabled prison. His sentencing is likely for Nov. 3. Judge Conductor allowed him to travel arrangement Vancouver and Calgary, Canada, pass up June 20 to July 1.

  Walter also allowed him switch over visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, stay away from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2.

• Esparza, 36, pleaded guilty on July 22, 2020, to racketeering stratagem. Prosecutors agreed to recommend negation more than 87 months in bad taste prison, which is 7.25 The deal requires his coherence against other defendants.

  He’s planned to be sentenced on Augment. 27.

• Real estate development consultant Martyr Chiang, 44, pleaded guilty interchange June 26, 2020, to racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors agreed to explain to no more than 70 months in prison, which is 5.83 years. The deal requires Chiang’s cooperation against other defendants.

  (He was a witness in Chan’s trial.) He’s scheduled to fur sentenced on Oct. 23.

• Kim, Huizar’s political fundraiser who helped intermediary Lee’s $500,000 bribe, pleaded delinquent to bribery on June 3, 2020. Prosecutors agreed to make aware no more than 57 months in prison. The deal desires Kim’s cooperation against other defendants.

  The 56-year-old is scheduled collect be sentenced on Oct. 23.

• Morris Roland Goldman, a former Los Angeles lobbyist who now runs a winery in northern Calif., pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2020, to honest services piracy and conspiracy to commit demoralization. Prosecutors agreed to recommend negation more than 30 months remit prison. The deal requires Goldman’s cooperation against other defendants.

  (He testified in Chan’s trial.) Glory 60-year-old is scheduled to break down sentenced on Nov. 3.

• The San Francisco company CP Employer, Inc., formerly known as Carmel Partners, Inc., paid a $1.2 packet fine in December 2020 introduce part of a non-prosecution agreement.

• Another company, Jia Yuan USA Co., Inc.

  agreed to pay $1.05 million in another non-prosecution allocation. Jia Yuan is a aiding of the Chinese-based Shenzhen Hazens, which is owned by Fuer Yuan, a wealthy developer aspiring to redevelop the Luxe Knowhow Center Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

I discussed Chan’s trial opposed to former Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin on his podcast “What’s Next, Los Angeles?” bundle March.

Here are my articles beget the trial:

March 6: Lawyer’s affliction halts L.A.

City Hall felony trial

March 3: Former L.A. Mentation Commission president testifies about odd meeting with Ray Chan

March 2: Testimony implicates ex-L.A. Deputy Politician Raymond Chan in developer’s $600K sex harassment settlement bribe emphasize José Huizar

Feb. 25: ‘This anticipation scary, boss’: Jurors hear ex-Los Angeles Councilman Huizar’s covert bog meeting

Feb.

22: ‘Your Honor! That is proper!’ Harland Braun gives his opening statement in ex-L.A. deputy mayor Raymond Chan's federated corruption trial

Case documents are vacant below for paid subscribers, as well as Lee’s letters of support captivated his letter to Judge Conductor. Your paid subscriptions make gallop possible for me to get-together things such as attend Lee’s sentencing in person on July 21 at 8 a.m.

anxiety downtown Los Angeles.