ID :
170231
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 11:31
Auther :

Prosecutors indict 7 former and current Coast Guard pilots on recruit scam

INCHEON, March 23 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday they have indicted seven former and current Coast Guard pilots over a scam that helped unqualified applicants become Coast Guard pilots.
The suspects allegedly traded funds ranging from 25 million (US$222,000) to 80 million in return for favors in recruiting the pilot aspirants who were short of mandatory flying hours.
The four applicants -- who are among the seven indicted and detained -- became Coast Guard pilots in 2007 and 2008, the Incheon District Prosecutors Office said.
The seven suspects were not immediately reached for comment as they are being held in custody.
If convicted, the seven face up to five years in prison. No trial date has been set yet.
All seven are pilots of fixed wing aircraft. They had participated in flying missions, though there were no accidents, according to Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has two fixed wing aircraft with 20 pilots and 17 helicopters with 57 pilots.

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