(A job for AK) NHK hires real

[Taro Toporific]

[Mulboyne]

Asahi: Ex-NHK producer said to have lived the high life on public money

A former television producer accused of cheating Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) out of millions of yen lived it up with frequent and lavish overseas trips, often taking a female acquaintance with him, according to sources close to the police. They said Katsumi Isono, 48, apparently financed the trips with money stolen from NHK. Shortly after his arrest, Isono, former chief producer at NHK, issued a statement through his lawyer claiming that the huge sums he allegedly gained by fabricating work contracts were spent on business-related activities. "I spent the money with NHK colleagues and showbiz people-all of it was for producing programs," the statement said.
However, according to police sources, Isono made repeated trips to Hawaii, Guam and Hong Kong in recent years that apparently were not business related and often exceeded 1 million yen in total. One year, he took off almost 10 times, the sources said. Sources said Isono always flew business class and was often accompanied by a female companion. He was also a heavy shopper, and often bought expensive, brand-name souvenirs, including designer watches.

Given the way expenses are routinely used at private corporations, Isono seems to have been following traditional business practice. The rampant fraud may prove his undoing, however.

[Captain Japan]

Given the way expenses are routinely used at private corporations, Isono seems to have been following traditional business practice. The rampant fraud may prove his undoing, however.

Fresh warrant served on suspects in NHK fraud scandal
Kyodo

Police served fresh warrants Friday on on a former TV producer of Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) and his alleged accomplice, both of whom had earlier been indicted on charges of conspiring to defraud the public broadcaster.

Former NHK chief producer Katsumi Isono and the head of an entertainment company, Hisayuki Uehara, both 48, are now also charged with defrauding NHK of about 7.4 million yen in 2000 and 2001.

Last month, prosecutors indicted them for allegedly swindling NHK of about 2.7 million yen in 2001. The police continue to investigate and may press additional charges.

NHK earlier said its probe found Isono had tricked it into paying a total of about 48 million yen to Uehara's company in payments for production costs spread over 80 occasions from 1997 through 2001, and that a combined 9.4 million yen of that amount money was arranged to be funneled back to Isono.

[Captain Japan]

Given the way expenses are routinely used at private corporations, Isono seems to have been following traditional business practice. The rampant fraud may prove his undoing, however.

He recorded imaginary performances as well...

NHK producer may have stolen 100 mil. yen
Gomiuri Shimbun

NHK announced Monday that a former chief producer who has been indicted over embezzling production fees may have stolen about 42 million yen more from the broadcaster through billing for fictitious performances on his shows.

According to NHK, Katsumi Isono, 48, embezzled 42.38 million yen from the broadcaster between 1996 and 2000 by recording nonexistent performances by dance and chorus groups on 10 occasions--seven for "New Year's Eve Kohaku Song contest," two for "Melodies of Yesterday," and once for "Pop Jam."

With the other cases he has been accused of, Isono has reportedly stolen about 100 million yen.

Isono's alleged embezzlement was first disclosed in July and an in-house report was compiled in September. The latest case came to light when billing records were compared to the actual performances listed in scripts for the shows.