Prosecution Rests in Fraud Case

A prosecution witness in the trial of the Hyundai Motor America controller charged with making illegal contributions to a political campaign acknowledged Thursday that he had a larger role in the campaign contribution scheme than the defendant.

The prosecution concluded its case Thursday with witness Jason Song, a former cash administrator for Hundai who might have hurt rather than helped the government’s case.

Song, testifying with immunity from prosecution, said he was surprised and felt that it was unfair that controller Paul Koh was the one being charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States by giving money to the election campaign of Rep. Jay C. Kim (R- Diamond Bar).

“If anyone was going to be prosecuted, I thought I would be one of them,” said Song.

Song detailed how he meet with Hyundai treasurer James Choi, who instructed him to give five checks, totaling $4,500, to Korean Americans in return for personal checks in the same amount made out to Jay Kim for Congress. Song said Choi knew that it was illegal for a corporation to make a contribution to a federal election.

“I went to Koreans because I knew it was not kosher and I felt more comfortable with them,” said Song.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Edward B. Moreton would not comment on why Choi or Song were not prosecuted. Hyundai has already pleaded guilty to laundering illegal contributions to Kim and paid $600,000 in fines. If convicted, Koh faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Song said he interrupted a meeting Koh was having to tell him about the check plan and Koh quickly wrote a personal check for $1,000 to the Kim campaign in exchange for a company check. The whole interlude took about 30 seconds, Song said.

The defense will begin its case today by calling treasurer Choi and Vice President Mark Juhn.